- You recently renewed the contract. Tell me honestly, have you thought for a long time before signing?
- You can’t say that for a long time. It seems that the management and I did the right thing by extending the contract.
- Do you know that the club has problems?
- What kind?
- With financing.
- I do not know. The management assured me that everything will be fine. And in this regard, you can not worry. For its part, it will do everything possible to make Amkar feel safe. The owners of the team even took a break to assess the situation. And after everything was decided, I was offered a contract.
- Do you think that Amkar is now safe? Insured against crisis?
- You know, I signed the contract. My business is football, and crises, whether they exist or not, are the business of the team management.
- There was only one rumor about you. As if they set the condition that if you save your place in the Premier League, then for the next season you should be allocated funds to strengthen in order to storm the place in the UEFA Cup.
- Who said that? Who came up with what immediately into the UEFA Cup?
- It turns out that this is not true. It's a pity.
- Naturally, we are looking up. Naturally, we have big ambitions. But talking about a similar task now, without a staffed team, without a budget, like with leading clubs, is pointless. But we have a desire to become better. The guys need to believe in themselves. By the way, already at the first trainings, one can see with what diligence they are engaged.
- And yet, what are your ambitions?
- I am a person with character, I do not like to lose. But I know how to do it. And in case of failure, I carefully analyze the errors.
- Amkar cannot boast of serious results in the Premier League. It turns out that for you, and tenth place will be honorable? Or maybe the eighth?
- If you offer such a choice, then, of course, the eighth. But in general, it is surprising that you set tasks for us for the season. So far, my task is to stabilize the game. And if stability appears, then glasses will go. And already during the season we’ll see what we are capable of.
- Explain the invitation of George Peev. He has, frankly, a tarnished reputation.
- Why?
- They say that in Dynamo Kiev he did not comply with the regime.
- I have not heard anything about any violations. In my opinion, this is a very good player. And if we talk about violations of the regime, then this is found in all clubs, more than half of the players. So I do not pay attention to these points.
- Let, then, drink?
- For me it is important that the player understands when he can violate. We are all humans. Moreover, people are young. The main thing is that there is no busting. And to go somewhere to sit, to drink a bottle of beer or something else - it is impossible to ban. In addition, if there is a bust, the coach will always notice this condition. And take action. The player will only be offended by himself. After all, the competition in the clubs is now great. Anyone can replace, many are just waiting for this. And if a person violates the regime, but then enters the field and fulfills, then his head is normal.
- Not afraid to create a Bulgarian colony in a team?
- What is it like?
- Peev, Kushev, Sirakov. Many in Russia believe that three foreigners from one state are too much.
- Kushev and Sirakov have long been in Amkar. Bulgarian guys are very good people, professionals. Everyone understands that they need to work.
- There is no risk?
- If I feel that something is wrong, then I will take action.
- How much staff do you have now?
“Not yet fully staffed.” Much will depend on the Turkish collection. People will come there to watch, and I will have to evaluate how they suit us.
- The criterion is the game?
- And the game, and human qualities, and price.
Alexey Shevchenko