People believe in me
Thursday, May 17, 2018
|
Interview by Paulo Fonseca for Futbol TV channel after signing a new deal with Shakhtar
- Paulo, tell us about the agreement terms.
- It’ a two-year contract. I really enjoy being in Shakhtar. I remain motivated. You know that I have excellent relations with the club and the people working there. The president understands my work, we have excellent relations, so it was very easy to find a compromise. We’ll continue the work we started two seasons ago.
- How different were these negotiations from those when you just headed Shakhtar?
- Over the two seasons, we’ve won almost everything in Ukraine. This year, we’ve also had a great Champions League campaign, which made me somewhat more famous abroad. The truth is that there were other proposals that made me assess the situation. And at the same time, I understood that I wanted to continue this project - to work at the club who received me very well. I feel great in this country, they respect me here. I have a special relationship with all people, and it’s clear that I wanted to continue working here. At the same time, I have my ambitions. I had to think carefully about what would be better in terms of my career, and realized that for the moment that's staying here and continuing the work I began two years ago.
- You mentioned some offers from other clubs. Is that your desire or was there some important argument of the president that influenced your decision to stay?
- It’s clear that the president of the club always has some influence. His willing to leave me here really influenced my final decision. There’s one thing that’s most important to me: I must feel that people want to see me here. And I sensed that in case of the president. That’s really very important and it was decisive. I feel that people need me and I want to be just where people believe in my work.
- What new challenges do you have with Shakhtar for the next two years?
- When you win, spectacularly as we did it, the expectations for the next seasons get higher. Our goals will be the same - to win domestic tournaments and advance as far as possible in the Champions League. We will follow this path. It’s important to understand that the Champions League is a very difficult competition, where we compete with the best teams in Europe, but everything can happen there. And since I'm here with my soul and body, I believe that we’ll be able to have another magnificent campaign there. Honestly, I'm very motivated in that regard. But in any case, our major goals are the domestic competitions. We want to become the champions next year as well.
- Staying at Shakhtar, you should understand that a whole machine is fighting against them: it will become increasingly difficult to keep on top.
- Right, that’s how it was for two years. Nothing was easy. I feel that to win, we must be much better than others. And we did it. I understand very well that it won’t be easy. The truth is that Shakhtar really passes through the war in the championship: we fight alone. I can admit that because of this last season was really tough for us. Many people fought against us, but this makes us stronger and helps us to understand that in order to win, we must be a cut above the rest.
- Shakhtar secured a golden double, but there’s still one game against Dynamo. What does it mean to you? Who will play and what are the team’s objectives?
- There’s one thing I want to stress. We’ll enter the field already as the champions, but we won’t remain without the ambitions to earn three more points. That’s both ‘Clasico’ and derby: Shakhtar and Dynamo always have a big fight. We want to win and we'll go there just for that. I still can’t say anything about the squad, but the guys I trust will play. I hope we’ll manage to win it.
- It’s no secret that this coming summer, several leaders will leave Shakhtar. Who’s ready to replace them? Will the club enter the transfer market to staff one or another role?
- We collectively work on that. Today, our players are rated highly, European top clubs are watching them. Of course, some of them will leave us. We are aware of the fact that the team needs to be refreshed, it needs some new blood - perhaps this will give us something new performance wise. In case some players leave, the club prepares the arrival of other guys. If the leaders leave Shakhtar, the new ones will be able to replace them. It won’t be something fantastic: we won’t seek people from another planet. Please note the fact that two of our players got on the Brazil national team roster, while for such a club as Shakhtar, sending players there is not easy, because you understand perfectly well that the Selecao have a very big choice. We can be proud of the fact that the guys show football of that level and that they are so appreciated. And, of course, looking back at our Champions League performance, I'm very happy that other giants are interested in our players.
- The national team of Brazil features two current and three former players of Shakhtar. How can you explain the fact that the club sells players for very good money and becomes no weaker because of that, but stronger?
- By the fact that Shakhtar has a very well-developed contract policy. Over the past few years, the club has made very good choices, especially in the Brazilian market. That’s a very laborious work, it’s the merit of the scouts and the president ... I think it will continue to bear fruit.
- Do you plan any changes in the coaching staff?
- No, the same people will continue working.
- How do you see the future of Darijo Srna next season? Do you count on him as a player or as your assistant on staff?
- At least, it wasn’t planned. However, if the club made such an offer, I wouldn’t say no, because I respect Darijo very much. I don’t know what will happen. To continue playing or perform some other duties will be his decision. Whatever it is, I will support it. Srna is the iconic image and heart of this club. He’s a great captain, a professional and a role model. I’m always ready to help Darijo in everything when he needs it. I think that I and the club must do it.
- A couple of days ago, I had a dream that Shakhtar were beating FC Barcelona 1-0 in the Champions League final. Do you have such dreams?
- I'm a realist. Honestly, I dream when I'm not asleep. Would I like to participate in the final? Of course, yes. To get to the top is the goal of any coach, but we must perfectly understand that it’s very difficult to win the Champions League. Please pay attention to those who remained halfway through this season: Bayern and Manchester City failed to reach the final, although everyone understands that today those rank among the best European clubs, if not the best ones. There’s nothing impossible in football, but we have to be realistic. Getting to the Champions League final is a very and very tough objective.
- Who do you support in the decisive match this season - Klopp or Zidane, Liverpool or Real Madrid?
- I’ll attend the final in Kyiv. If we talk numbers, then Zidane's got an excellent result: Real’s former player headed it and wins - just fantastic! All this proves his qualities. But I, frankly speaking, really love Klopp's football. I like the way he organizes his teams. Most people are rooting for Real Madrid, but I believe that Madrid will find it very difficult. It seems to me that in this final the chances are equal - fifty-fifty. At the same time, as the Portuguese, I will be rooting for my fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo - I want him to win the Champions League again. I expect a great spectacle, a great final, which will help promote Ukraine and its football. I want the people to leave the stadium being happy with the fact that they came to this country. I hope they will spend great days here, because that’s the most important thing.
- It’ a two-year contract. I really enjoy being in Shakhtar. I remain motivated. You know that I have excellent relations with the club and the people working there. The president understands my work, we have excellent relations, so it was very easy to find a compromise. We’ll continue the work we started two seasons ago.
- How different were these negotiations from those when you just headed Shakhtar?
- Over the two seasons, we’ve won almost everything in Ukraine. This year, we’ve also had a great Champions League campaign, which made me somewhat more famous abroad. The truth is that there were other proposals that made me assess the situation. And at the same time, I understood that I wanted to continue this project - to work at the club who received me very well. I feel great in this country, they respect me here. I have a special relationship with all people, and it’s clear that I wanted to continue working here. At the same time, I have my ambitions. I had to think carefully about what would be better in terms of my career, and realized that for the moment that's staying here and continuing the work I began two years ago.
- You mentioned some offers from other clubs. Is that your desire or was there some important argument of the president that influenced your decision to stay?
- It’s clear that the president of the club always has some influence. His willing to leave me here really influenced my final decision. There’s one thing that’s most important to me: I must feel that people want to see me here. And I sensed that in case of the president. That’s really very important and it was decisive. I feel that people need me and I want to be just where people believe in my work.
- What new challenges do you have with Shakhtar for the next two years?
- When you win, spectacularly as we did it, the expectations for the next seasons get higher. Our goals will be the same - to win domestic tournaments and advance as far as possible in the Champions League. We will follow this path. It’s important to understand that the Champions League is a very difficult competition, where we compete with the best teams in Europe, but everything can happen there. And since I'm here with my soul and body, I believe that we’ll be able to have another magnificent campaign there. Honestly, I'm very motivated in that regard. But in any case, our major goals are the domestic competitions. We want to become the champions next year as well.
- Staying at Shakhtar, you should understand that a whole machine is fighting against them: it will become increasingly difficult to keep on top.
- Right, that’s how it was for two years. Nothing was easy. I feel that to win, we must be much better than others. And we did it. I understand very well that it won’t be easy. The truth is that Shakhtar really passes through the war in the championship: we fight alone. I can admit that because of this last season was really tough for us. Many people fought against us, but this makes us stronger and helps us to understand that in order to win, we must be a cut above the rest.
- Shakhtar secured a golden double, but there’s still one game against Dynamo. What does it mean to you? Who will play and what are the team’s objectives?
- There’s one thing I want to stress. We’ll enter the field already as the champions, but we won’t remain without the ambitions to earn three more points. That’s both ‘Clasico’ and derby: Shakhtar and Dynamo always have a big fight. We want to win and we'll go there just for that. I still can’t say anything about the squad, but the guys I trust will play. I hope we’ll manage to win it.
- It’s no secret that this coming summer, several leaders will leave Shakhtar. Who’s ready to replace them? Will the club enter the transfer market to staff one or another role?
- We collectively work on that. Today, our players are rated highly, European top clubs are watching them. Of course, some of them will leave us. We are aware of the fact that the team needs to be refreshed, it needs some new blood - perhaps this will give us something new performance wise. In case some players leave, the club prepares the arrival of other guys. If the leaders leave Shakhtar, the new ones will be able to replace them. It won’t be something fantastic: we won’t seek people from another planet. Please note the fact that two of our players got on the Brazil national team roster, while for such a club as Shakhtar, sending players there is not easy, because you understand perfectly well that the Selecao have a very big choice. We can be proud of the fact that the guys show football of that level and that they are so appreciated. And, of course, looking back at our Champions League performance, I'm very happy that other giants are interested in our players.
- The national team of Brazil features two current and three former players of Shakhtar. How can you explain the fact that the club sells players for very good money and becomes no weaker because of that, but stronger?
- By the fact that Shakhtar has a very well-developed contract policy. Over the past few years, the club has made very good choices, especially in the Brazilian market. That’s a very laborious work, it’s the merit of the scouts and the president ... I think it will continue to bear fruit.
- Do you plan any changes in the coaching staff?
- No, the same people will continue working.
- How do you see the future of Darijo Srna next season? Do you count on him as a player or as your assistant on staff?
- At least, it wasn’t planned. However, if the club made such an offer, I wouldn’t say no, because I respect Darijo very much. I don’t know what will happen. To continue playing or perform some other duties will be his decision. Whatever it is, I will support it. Srna is the iconic image and heart of this club. He’s a great captain, a professional and a role model. I’m always ready to help Darijo in everything when he needs it. I think that I and the club must do it.
- A couple of days ago, I had a dream that Shakhtar were beating FC Barcelona 1-0 in the Champions League final. Do you have such dreams?
- I'm a realist. Honestly, I dream when I'm not asleep. Would I like to participate in the final? Of course, yes. To get to the top is the goal of any coach, but we must perfectly understand that it’s very difficult to win the Champions League. Please pay attention to those who remained halfway through this season: Bayern and Manchester City failed to reach the final, although everyone understands that today those rank among the best European clubs, if not the best ones. There’s nothing impossible in football, but we have to be realistic. Getting to the Champions League final is a very and very tough objective.
- Who do you support in the decisive match this season - Klopp or Zidane, Liverpool or Real Madrid?
- I’ll attend the final in Kyiv. If we talk numbers, then Zidane's got an excellent result: Real’s former player headed it and wins - just fantastic! All this proves his qualities. But I, frankly speaking, really love Klopp's football. I like the way he organizes his teams. Most people are rooting for Real Madrid, but I believe that Madrid will find it very difficult. It seems to me that in this final the chances are equal - fifty-fifty. At the same time, as the Portuguese, I will be rooting for my fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo - I want him to win the Champions League again. I expect a great spectacle, a great final, which will help promote Ukraine and its football. I want the people to leave the stadium being happy with the fact that they came to this country. I hope they will spend great days here, because that’s the most important thing.