A superb striker for FC Dynamo Kyiv, where he formed a celebrated double act with Andriy Shevchenko, Serhiy Rebrov is establishing a fine reputation as a coach with his old club. Dynamo lead the Ukrainian Premier League at the winter break, and are taking on EA Guingamp for a place in the UEFA Europa League round of 16. The 40-year-old – who also represented Tottenham Hotspur FC and FenerbahçeSK among others – discussed his transition into coaching with UEFA.com.
- Is this a Dynamo side that is ready to win things, or is it a work in progress?
- The way I see it is that before every competition we have to set ourselves the target of winning it, so that's our aim. But the players need to focus on every single game. If you've prepared properly, then you'll probably be successful. For players and coaches it's important to give everything on the pitch. The result might get away from you, but you should be able to face yourself and the fans with a clear conscience afterwards.
- How was working under Valeriy Lobanovskiy at Dynamo?
- A lot of coaches influenced my career, but Valeriy probably did more than anyone because he guided my first steps in football. But every coach had an influence – you can take something from all of them. Training sessions, tournaments and matches – you see a lot of ways of working. As a player, I worked out what I liked, what suited me and what didn't.
- There is a strong tradition of Dynamo being coached by their former players. Why is that?
- Well, because the club's presidents have seen the value in it. I don't think there's anything bad about a player who has spent years at Dynamo Kyiv staying on at the club, but it's very important not to just finish your career and go straight into coaching. You need to study.
- Is it difficult as a top-class footballer turned coach to work with players who might not be as talented as you were?
- These boys are no less talented than me. The players we have at Dynamo are top class, but it's very important to develop the talent you have. The players who are going to push on will show you how much they want it – that really is very important. In training and during games, I see them straining to make progress. I hope they will stick at that throughout their careers.
- How does this squad compare to the Dynamo sides you played in?
- When I played, we had no foreign players. At the time, players from other Soviet republics were not considered foreigners. We all spoke the same language and had similar upbringings. Now it's much more complicated because there are a lot of different nationalities in every team. But then, like now, you built a group. In the first half of the season you could see that the lads wanted to work and prove something as a team – win something as a team. You can really see that now.
- Would you have got into the starting XI in this team?
- Of course! I know what I was capable of. Now, my mindset is a bit different, but I took my work seriously. I gave 100%.
