- I’m glad to be back to Ukraine and talk to you. I hope we’ll overcome current obstacles together as Dynamo need better. I missed you and I hope you missed me.
- What can you say about potential lineup transformations?
- I never make huge changes, I try to let players unlock their potential. I had only a week to watch UPL matches in Romania and now I have only a week to get acquainted with players and figure out that to do. I’ll have individual conversation with each of them. I think Dynamo have a lot of talented youngsters. First of all we need to change their mentality.
The major aspects are game organization and motivation to work. Players must do their best at every training session.
As for potential newcomers, I’ve met scouts and they’ve given me the list of candidates. But anyway first of all I need to meet players and give him a chance to demonstrate their true worth.
- How long can it take players to embrace your ideas and vision?
- We have little time. Besides six players are injured, so they won’t start preparations for the season with us. These are Popov, Sydorchuk, Verbic, Andriyevskyi and others. Some will join us in 5-6 days. I counted on 22-23 performers plus goalkeepers, but so far we have only 17 players.
- Did you talk to Shakhtar president before joining Dynamo?
- After I signed the contract I called him and told about that. He wished me luck and understood my decision. I wanted to return to Ukraine, to football. Ukrainian league is making headway and I want to make my contribution into this process. Besides, the chance to work with talented youngsters attracted me to Dynamo. I like to unlock player’s potential.
- You won 22 trophies with Shakhtar. What are your ambitions with Dynamo?
- Shakhtar are already history for me. I’m a professional coach, so I must move forward. I came from Italian league where coaches and players switch teams quite often.
I knew that in Dynamo I would work with talented young players who can make headway. I like that. I need to enjoy working with them and achieving good results. It’s vital to enjoy what you do in football.
- In Shakhtar you were building your system for years. Are Dynamo a long-term project for you?
- I spent 12 years in Shakhtar and didn’t succeed immediately. We were moving step by step. In Dynamo I have less time, so we need to boost players’ progress. You can be sure I’ll use all my experience and energy to help the team. I’ve invited Ognjen Vukojevic and Oleh Husiev to help me with that.
- In Shakhtar you mostly worked with Brazilians while in Dynamo you’ll have many Ukrainians. How are you going to build your system here?
- In 1990s in Romania I worked only with local players, for example and we reached euro cups semifinal. After that 12 of my performers moved to top leagues. Brazilians need special approach. You need to be a kind of father to them.
Anyway, as far as I’ve understood, Dynamo have decent youngsters, who’re also capable to achieve a lot. I’ve never divided players into Brazilians and Ukrainians.
- How do you deal with stress? You look great although you’re very emotional…
- Not every 75-year-old can make such a step, but I couldn’t reject the offer of Dynamo president. I feel good. I have emotions and passion that let coach lead training process instead of standing at the sideline. I hope fans who are against my appointment at the moment will take our side.
