The best gift is victory
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
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Shakhtar assistant head coach Igor Duljaj marks his birthday
On November 29, Shakhtar former player and the current assistant of Paulo Fonseca turns 38. Traditionally, we publish an interview with the birthday boy.
- Igor, first of all, please accept our birthday wishes! You have been working for eighteen months as a member of Paulo Fonseca’s coaching staff, so what’s your take on this period in your career?
- The impressions are very positive, because that’s an entirely new experience for me. I'm happy to be part of the Shakhtar club. I continue to learn something new every day, watching how Paulo Fonseca streamlines all the processes. Being a player, I tried to fulfil the mentor’s plan, while my current level of responsibility is completely different. Sometimes I still think like a footballer and can foresee certain situations on the pitch. Coaching is a very difficult and time-consuming job, but at the same time it gives you a lot of positive emotions.
- Do you feel that you are ready to work independently?
- If I were ready, I would have taken the helm at some club. I still have to learn many things. At Shakhtar I’ve got a great opportunity to get the knowledge as a member of Paulo Fonseca’s coaching team. Believe me, we can learn a lot from him.
- Your former club mates Vyacheslav Shevchuk and Mariusz Lewandowski have also become coaches ...
- I'm happy for the guys, we played together for Shakhtar for a long while, also having a spell at Sevastopol with Mariusz. They have the huge match experience, so they currently try themselves as coaches. I wish them only the best of luck! I'm in no hurry, I'll gain knowledge, and, perhaps one day, I will have a chance. But my time has not come yet.
- You repeatedly won the Ukrainian League titles as a player, this year you won your first gold medal as a coach. What do you feel in this regard?
- In 2017, the Miners secured their 10th league title, they won the Cup and the Super Cup of Ukraine, currently playing in the Champions League: I am happy for and proud for Shakhtar. Although my role in the team is minor, it's always nice to win anyway. It so happened that as a football player I always played for the sides competing for top spots. Now, as an assistant, I continue staying at the club which sets the most ambitious goals.
- After nearly every session, we can see you jogging around the pitch or building up the muscles at the fitness centre. Is it your way of living or the desire to look great?
- Firstly, I have been doing sports since my childhood. Even when I was a professional football player, I never made big breaks in training during holidays. I want to keep fit all the time: when you are physically fit, your head also operates much better. Secondly, I represent Shakhtar and can’t look bad at all. Thirdly, I’m getting rid of stress like that. Yes, I have my weaknesses, for example, I like sweet things. But I am able to control myself. Over four years outside big-time football I’ve gained just 2.5 kilos.
- How will your mark your birthday?
- The biggest gift for me will be the success in the game against Veres. My birthday nearly always coincides with match days, so I rarely celebrate it. Hopefully, today Shakhtar will present me with the win.
- What would you wish yourself on your birthday?
- I want my family members rejoice and be healthy. Then I will feel myself a happy person.
- Igor, first of all, please accept our birthday wishes! You have been working for eighteen months as a member of Paulo Fonseca’s coaching staff, so what’s your take on this period in your career?
- The impressions are very positive, because that’s an entirely new experience for me. I'm happy to be part of the Shakhtar club. I continue to learn something new every day, watching how Paulo Fonseca streamlines all the processes. Being a player, I tried to fulfil the mentor’s plan, while my current level of responsibility is completely different. Sometimes I still think like a footballer and can foresee certain situations on the pitch. Coaching is a very difficult and time-consuming job, but at the same time it gives you a lot of positive emotions.
- Do you feel that you are ready to work independently?
- If I were ready, I would have taken the helm at some club. I still have to learn many things. At Shakhtar I’ve got a great opportunity to get the knowledge as a member of Paulo Fonseca’s coaching team. Believe me, we can learn a lot from him.
- Your former club mates Vyacheslav Shevchuk and Mariusz Lewandowski have also become coaches ...
- I'm happy for the guys, we played together for Shakhtar for a long while, also having a spell at Sevastopol with Mariusz. They have the huge match experience, so they currently try themselves as coaches. I wish them only the best of luck! I'm in no hurry, I'll gain knowledge, and, perhaps one day, I will have a chance. But my time has not come yet.
- You repeatedly won the Ukrainian League titles as a player, this year you won your first gold medal as a coach. What do you feel in this regard?
- In 2017, the Miners secured their 10th league title, they won the Cup and the Super Cup of Ukraine, currently playing in the Champions League: I am happy for and proud for Shakhtar. Although my role in the team is minor, it's always nice to win anyway. It so happened that as a football player I always played for the sides competing for top spots. Now, as an assistant, I continue staying at the club which sets the most ambitious goals.
- After nearly every session, we can see you jogging around the pitch or building up the muscles at the fitness centre. Is it your way of living or the desire to look great?
- Firstly, I have been doing sports since my childhood. Even when I was a professional football player, I never made big breaks in training during holidays. I want to keep fit all the time: when you are physically fit, your head also operates much better. Secondly, I represent Shakhtar and can’t look bad at all. Thirdly, I’m getting rid of stress like that. Yes, I have my weaknesses, for example, I like sweet things. But I am able to control myself. Over four years outside big-time football I’ve gained just 2.5 kilos.
- How will your mark your birthday?
- The biggest gift for me will be the success in the game against Veres. My birthday nearly always coincides with match days, so I rarely celebrate it. Hopefully, today Shakhtar will present me with the win.
- What would you wish yourself on your birthday?
- I want my family members rejoice and be healthy. Then I will feel myself a happy person.