I’ll also be a Shakhtar fan now!
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
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In an interview to Shakhtar News, Luis Castro assessed his two years of work at Shakhtar, spoke about the players’ professionalism and the most memorable matches, he also thanked the fans
- These are two fantastic seasons, two joyful years because in both we were able to achieve good results. The first season delivered sporting results - the most appreciated thing in football. In the second one, Shakhtar's main project didn’t work out because a lot of young players appeared in our team. The young guys did a great job throughout the season along with the more experienced footballers. This gives us very high expectations for the future. I think a good future for the club is guaranteed with the appearance of these young guys in the team.
- What are your most vivid memories of Shakhtar?
- For any coach, the day when he comes to a new club is very important, so this is, of course, the day when I arrived in Kyiv and when I had my first contact with the club. Over the past two years, a lot of fantastic moments have happened at Shakhtar. The game in Zagreb, the victory over Atalanta, the draw at Etihad vs Manchester City, the league title glory and a 23-point lead over Dynamo, the games against Real Madrid in the Champions League and the battles at San Siro with Inter for the Europa League berth. We will also remember the 14 or15 young players who we have involved in our team during these two seasons. The guys have excellent career prospects. As I said, the Europa League semi-finals and round of 16 are memorable facts. Despite the tough pandemic situation, I will remember many moments that we went through with the team this season.
- How farewell message do you want to convey to the players?
- I will tell my players that it was a great honour for me to work with them. They motivated me a lot every day. We have experienced many fantastic moments with them. Only my players know how difficult it was for us to work in those conditions. But even at the most difficult times of the season - and we had plenty of them: injuries, suspensions, COVID-19 - they looked very confidently at all the work they were faced with. They always behaved very well, there was a respectful atmosphere in our dressing room. Even at the times when we slightly strayed from our path, they knew that they needed to get back and they knew what to do for that. The players will forever stay in my heart. In addition to being professionals, they are also good people.
- Do you plan to return to Ukraine in the future?
- Yes, I really like Ukraine, I like Kyiv very much. There were a lot of difficult moments here, but also a lot of good things. I have great respect for Ukraine and Shakhtar. The club, unfortunately, does not play in its hometown Donetsk. Due to political conflicts in Donetsk, the club had to leave and perform in another city - now in Kyiv, and earlier in Lviv and Kharkiv. In any case, I will remember Shakhtar. I want to come back here in the future: I'm not saying that I will return to the club because, without a doubt, the club will follow its own path, and I will walk the road of my life. But Kyiv and Ukraine will remain on the list of places that I want to visit in the future.
- If you return to Ukrainian football, will it be possible only regarding Shakhtar?
- I don’t know. In life, we must be aware of the fact that we must have a clear conscience and remain professionals. We must approach our work with full seriousness and great professionalism. Every moment that I experienced at Shakhtar is unforgettable. But I also have to be sincere with myself. We never know the future, we don't know what decisions we will make in the future. Now I can say that during my time at Shakhtar I fell in love with this project. I’ve always treated my work with great professionalism and maximum dedication. Shakhtar will stay in my heart forever. I am leaving with a clear conscience, but at the same time understanding that I’m a professional coach. Yes, so far I've only worked with one club in this country, but anything can happen in my career.
- Do you want to say a few words to the fans who have supported you all this time?
- Sure. I was really delighted to see their comments, feedback, especially recently, when they learned about my leaving the club. All the support I had shows that the fans understood what our way during this season was like. The season was tough and they admitted it. The kind messages and wishes of good luck on social media are very memorable to me. I never thought that our fans would understand so well the essence of the project and all the difficulties we faced in the course of the season. I want to say a huge thank you and wish immense happiness and good health to the fans and their families, so that they could fight, move towards their goals in life, and the future of their beloved Shakhtar will only get better every day. They have the administration who take care of the club. We are going through a difficult season, but in the future Shakhtar will win multiple titles for sure. There are enough young guys to secure the future of Shakhtar. I want to tell the fans that it was a pleasure to be with them every day, and I wish them the greatest happiness in their lives. I’ll also be a Shakhtar fan now!
- What are your most vivid memories of Shakhtar?
- For any coach, the day when he comes to a new club is very important, so this is, of course, the day when I arrived in Kyiv and when I had my first contact with the club. Over the past two years, a lot of fantastic moments have happened at Shakhtar. The game in Zagreb, the victory over Atalanta, the draw at Etihad vs Manchester City, the league title glory and a 23-point lead over Dynamo, the games against Real Madrid in the Champions League and the battles at San Siro with Inter for the Europa League berth. We will also remember the 14 or15 young players who we have involved in our team during these two seasons. The guys have excellent career prospects. As I said, the Europa League semi-finals and round of 16 are memorable facts. Despite the tough pandemic situation, I will remember many moments that we went through with the team this season.
- How farewell message do you want to convey to the players?
- I will tell my players that it was a great honour for me to work with them. They motivated me a lot every day. We have experienced many fantastic moments with them. Only my players know how difficult it was for us to work in those conditions. But even at the most difficult times of the season - and we had plenty of them: injuries, suspensions, COVID-19 - they looked very confidently at all the work they were faced with. They always behaved very well, there was a respectful atmosphere in our dressing room. Even at the times when we slightly strayed from our path, they knew that they needed to get back and they knew what to do for that. The players will forever stay in my heart. In addition to being professionals, they are also good people.
- Do you plan to return to Ukraine in the future?
- Yes, I really like Ukraine, I like Kyiv very much. There were a lot of difficult moments here, but also a lot of good things. I have great respect for Ukraine and Shakhtar. The club, unfortunately, does not play in its hometown Donetsk. Due to political conflicts in Donetsk, the club had to leave and perform in another city - now in Kyiv, and earlier in Lviv and Kharkiv. In any case, I will remember Shakhtar. I want to come back here in the future: I'm not saying that I will return to the club because, without a doubt, the club will follow its own path, and I will walk the road of my life. But Kyiv and Ukraine will remain on the list of places that I want to visit in the future.
- If you return to Ukrainian football, will it be possible only regarding Shakhtar?
- I don’t know. In life, we must be aware of the fact that we must have a clear conscience and remain professionals. We must approach our work with full seriousness and great professionalism. Every moment that I experienced at Shakhtar is unforgettable. But I also have to be sincere with myself. We never know the future, we don't know what decisions we will make in the future. Now I can say that during my time at Shakhtar I fell in love with this project. I’ve always treated my work with great professionalism and maximum dedication. Shakhtar will stay in my heart forever. I am leaving with a clear conscience, but at the same time understanding that I’m a professional coach. Yes, so far I've only worked with one club in this country, but anything can happen in my career.
- Do you want to say a few words to the fans who have supported you all this time?
- Sure. I was really delighted to see their comments, feedback, especially recently, when they learned about my leaving the club. All the support I had shows that the fans understood what our way during this season was like. The season was tough and they admitted it. The kind messages and wishes of good luck on social media are very memorable to me. I never thought that our fans would understand so well the essence of the project and all the difficulties we faced in the course of the season. I want to say a huge thank you and wish immense happiness and good health to the fans and their families, so that they could fight, move towards their goals in life, and the future of their beloved Shakhtar will only get better every day. They have the administration who take care of the club. We are going through a difficult season, but in the future Shakhtar will win multiple titles for sure. There are enough young guys to secure the future of Shakhtar. I want to tell the fans that it was a pleasure to be with them every day, and I wish them the greatest happiness in their lives. I’ll also be a Shakhtar fan now!