We need Shakhtar’s football
Friday, October 20, 2023
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Caretaker coach of Shakhtar Darijo Srna talked about the decision to lead the team, conversation with Rinat Akhmetov and expectations from his debut
– Darijo, how did you decide to become the caretaker coach of Shakhtar?
– First of all, I agreed to the interview, because there are many questions for me and the club. I have not given any comment anywhere, so I would like to clarify this situation a bit. Patrick’s invitation was due to the fact that he showed very beautiful, spectacular football at Zorya – he fought for the title until the last two rounds, qualified for the Conference League and gave a very good result. And he led himself to Shakhtar with his quality of play and results. Of course, we knew that every coach would have a hard time at Shakhtar at first. Fonseca, Castro, Jovicevic and De Zerbi went through this – they all had some difficulties, and we always met them halfway and helped them. We knew from the beginning of the pre-season, that the internationals returned to Patrick a little later after the European U21 Championship, there were injured players: Sudakov had a surgery right away, Stepanenko had a knee injury. That is why we went through a very difficult time, had patience, gave support, as we do for every Shakhtar coach. But the day has come when we have to speak honestly and openly, to be upfront and fair to our fans, which, unfortunately, we did not manage to do. We failed to play the kind of football that the fans, the club president and all of us need. We could not find a way to play Shakhtar’s football. And I can only thank Patrick and the coaching staff for a good work, but we decided to take a different approach. We wish him all the best, success and great competitive results. As for me, Shakhtar is my club and my family. Truth be told, I could have become Shakhtar coach even earlier. But I am a person who trusts others, and I always want to help every coach with their work. And I want to say from my experience that every Shakhtar team made the coach very strong. They all came here and went to top clubs after Shakhtar being different people. There is the work of the club, the team and the coach – when this triangle exists, there will be success. Today I accepted Shakhtar, because they are my family. When the family has a hard time, you have to help. So, I was not afraid to take the team even before such games and try to do everything I can. I told them yesterday that I am not Guardiola, I am not Klopp, I am Darijo Srna, who does not have much experience in coaching, but I have miner’s heart. Miner’s heart, which is very important for everyone. And this heart told me that I need to help the team today. In such a difficult situation for the country, for Shakhtar, I could not refuse and told the president that I am all for it. Two rounds ago, the president offered me to immediately take over the team, become the head coach, sign a contract, and choose the coaching staff. And he said that he was ready to suffer with me. And I told him, “President, I love this club and I assure you that today I want to bring you a coach who is stronger than me, who is currently better than me, more experienced than me and who can give the team more at the moment.” I put the club before myself, and there is no other way. I put the club before myself because no one can be above the club. My ambitions cannot be higher than the club’s ambitions. That is why I spoke briefly about the situation that happened in the last two weeks. As for the new coach, I assure the president every day, together with CEO Palkin, that this is the right choice. And he fully trusts me. And we are negotiating. And I hope that this coach wants to join us.
– We will definitely return to the question about the new coach, but now I would like to ask about Patrick van Leeuwen. Shakhtar have not changed a coach during the season for a long time, last cases were with Bernd Schuster and Nevio Scala. When exactly did Shakhtar start to realise that it is necessary to make changes in Patrick’s case? What was the key moment?
– The president was still young when he immediately dismissed Schuster and Scala, he had no patience. Today he has patience. I know the president very well. And if the president does not see tomorrow, then a decision has to be made. Unfortunately, he did not see it in such situation. We have to be honest and fair and say it as it is. We supported Patrick and his coaching staff, and some of the games were good, but unfortunately, we were not sure and did not see tomorrow. It is the honest truth. And it is better to part than to let all of us endure and suffer. I talk with the president a lot every day, and I know that he has a dream of me becoming Shakhtar coach in his heart. And I do not shut this door. I honestly told him that when I am ready and if I am ready, I will come and say, “President, I am ready.” But I know myself, when I am ready, I will succeed. So, I wish every Shakhtar coach what I wish for myself in this position. And believe me, coaching is difficult. I have only been a coach for one day, and I already have many problems. But I have problems that I want, not those that I do not want. The issue is that we have 29 players and all of them want to play. And we will have to decide. But there are many young players, and they should know what Shakhtar means. And when I get through to them, it will be my success. Their freedom on the field depends on them. I give them freedom – let them show their qualities, let them enjoy it. Of course, the coach always takes responsibility for bad results, good results are always the merit of the players. And I immediately told them that if we fail, it will be my fault, if we succeed, it will be the merit of the players.
– You have already mentioned the new coach. What should the new head coach be like and what are the main requirements for them?
– I want you to understand me correctly, we will change coaches until we find the one we need. Let it be six, seven, eight, nine, ten coaches, but I assure Shakhtar fans that we will find the one. First, every club has changes and every club has a rough patch. It would happen sooner or later. We will get through this and become stronger. But fans should know one simple thing: I promise them, and I can even say it on behalf of the president and the entire club, that Shakhtar will win trophies with beautiful and high-quality miner’s football. There will be no other option. I know the president: he likes to lose with beautiful football, but he does not like to win with ugly football. And this is the difference between our president and others.
– By the way, a few days ago you had a meeting with Rinat Akhmetov. Tell us more about how it went and what you talked about.
– You know, each of our meetings is sincere and emotional. CEO and friends of the president who have been working in the system for 20 years were also present. Let me tell you, we sat together for about eight hours. In eight hours we went through the period from 2003 to 2023. I think the president introduced me as Shakhtar player on July 6, and 20 years after he introduced me as the head coach of the team. We remembered what happened during these 20 years: there were tears, there was laughter… But we are on the right track. We talked about the war that started for us in 2014. We dream of what every Ukrainian dreams of – peace. It will definitely come, but we have to be patient, we have to help each other and believe in victory. First of all, believe in the victory of Ukraine, and believe in the victory of Shakhtar. The president even talked with some footballers, with our young players. And the president asked me, “Well, what do our young players say?” I said, “President, they want to see you.” I sent Bondarenko a photo of me and the president and wrote, “Greetings to you from the president!” And Artem replied, “I thank the president for knowing who Bondarenko is.” And I told the president about it, and he said, “Call him.” And Bondarenko then told me, “Darijo, I was up all night.” Then we called Bondar, Sudakov, Rakitskyi. The president means a lot to them. So, I promise you that we will do everything for the president to attend our training session soon.
– During your personal meeting, the president said, “Your heart has always been, is and will be with Shakhtar. Even knowing that we are planning to appoint a new coach, you were not afraid to accept the team before the game against Barcelona and other difficult matches.” What do these words mean to you personally?
– Listen, I know the president, and the president knows me. I know what he is thinking even without these words. And I had no other choice but to take over the team. I told the president, “I am ready.” And he responded, “If you are ready, Darijo, I trust you completely. You will have more support than all coaches put together in the entire history of Shakhtar.” But I said, “President, I am ready now, but I assure you that I will bring a coach who is stronger than me, better than me and more experienced than me today.”
– Over the past six months, a lot has changed at Shakhtar: coaches, style of play... What kind of football should Shakhtar play?
– Definitely not the kind we have been playing for the last two or three months. We all worked and, frankly, helped Patrick change some things, but, unfortunately, it was not going well. I am not saying that everything is his fault. No. Maybe we did not have enough luck, had injuries, the players sometimes failed to do their best, underperformed. But we need Shakhtar’s football. When I talk about Shakhtar’s football, everyone knows exactly what it means. And we will definitely have it – with a new coach, with me, without me. And I will tell you honestly, if I am the head coach, but fail to play Shakhtar’s football, then the president will tolerate it, but I do not know for how long. Shakhtar’s quality attacking football is in the first place. No matter who the coach is. If there is no such football, then we are not on the same page with the coach. Unfortunately.
– The team have many leaders and high-quality players who understand what they should do on the field and how they should act at certain moments. In this case, should the team adapt to the coach, or should the coach adapt to Shakhtar?
– Both. A coach who comes here from any team should know where he is going. He has to know that we are one family, which lives together and is ready to suffer for each other. Well, generally speaking, the coach should change. But change for the better, not for the worse, of course. And players have to adapt to a new coach. And if it coincides, then we already have a bond that is difficult to break. And when the president sees this, believe me, this coach will be the happiest person in the world. So, yes, every coach who comes to Shakhtar should change, but the team also have to adapt to the coach.
– You will make your coaching debut very soon. What are your expectations from the first match? Are you nervous?
– Honestly, there is no worry yet. I will not lie, I do not like it. I think it will come, but you know, it will last until I enter the field. When I enter the field, it is mine, it is inside of me. Believe me, when I am in the stands or on the bench, I have anxiety. Why? Because my favourite team are playing. Even watching TV, I am more nervous than when I am on the bench or in the stands, because I am not there, I am not next to them. My debut... I know that I will do everything to win. Firstly, we always have difficult games after the matches of the national team. And secondly, LNZ are a team that are set against Shakhtar, like all teams. But with all due respect to the opponents, 90% of the games in the Ukrainian League depend on Shakhtar. This is what I am saying now, even before the game, they depend on Shakhtar, with all due respect to LNZ, Kryvbas, Vorskla, Oleksandriia. They are all very good, tough teams which are not easy to play against, but 90% of it depends on Shakhtar. If we have a good mood, an approach, a will, Shakhtar have everything else. So, I will do my best to ensure that they come to the game energised, relaxed, confident and, most importantly, that they know what emblem is on their jersey. If everything I said is up to par, then we will win.
– Coaching is a great responsibility. The coach must be responsible for both the result and the atmosphere, there is constant pressure. Are you mentally prepared for this pressure, even if it is for a short period of time?
– I am prepared. How to explain it, if someone in the family is sick, caught a cold for example or has a fever, you will be the first to say that you will go to the pharmacy to get medicine to help them. I feel that the team are not at their level today. I want to help them reach their level, so that they smile, have fun, have good training sessions. I am not saying it did not happen before me. Each coach has their own approach. And each coach is responsible for their own approach. I have a different approach, where I give, but I also demand. It takes two to share love. If one does not love the other, then there is no love here. As you know, the final decision in the club is made by the president, and before him there is me, there is CEO Palkin. And we are one. I think you noticed that. And this is a system, so the team are working. If we are not a single entity, there will be no result. If the team does not play as one under the guidance of any coach, there will be no result. It all starts with the team. So, I will try and give 100 percent that I will do everything for them to succeed on Saturday. I am not thinking about Barcelona, I am thinking about LNZ.
– Who is currently in your coaching staff and who will help you prepare the team for matches?
– Carlo Nicolini, Radion Paltsun and Andrii Piatov.
– How can you describe these people? How can they help you and the team?
– Carlo is a person who has been in Shakhtar system for 15–16 years. He is a very experienced person who worked with great coaches. Piatov had not much less practice than me, and he is Shakhtar legend. And I know they are ready. Radion is a person who works 24/7. By the way, he has a very difficult job, because he has to show all the strengths and weaknesses of our opponent in a video analysis in five minutes, so that the players immediately understand what it is about. He can spend 12 hours in front of a computer, but his theory session lasts five minutes. Within these five minutes, he gives the players a lot of information. Carlo helps me with my physical preparation in terms of training. I listen to Piatov. In general, I am a person who likes to listen.
– In recent days, we have heard from our players that they will fight not only for Shakhtar emblem on the field, but also for you personally. Do you feel the support of the players?
– It is nice to hear. It is nice to hear, but I want to see it. You do not have cheer for me, although if it is true, it is very nice, of course.
– But you are an example for them, a legend...
– A legend who has miner’s heart and wants to give them what I have lived through. I know that it is a difficult time, that fans are absent, that each of them wants to go abroad and play in a top club, but we know that with our victories we can give great emotions to our soldiers, who protect the country. Before the game in Antwerp, I asked Patrick for permission to say a few words. He let me, I thanked him. I never get involved in coaching unless I am a coach. If Jovicevic, DeZerbi , Castro, Patrick or any other coach needed my help, I told them on the first day that I am available 24/7 and if I can help, I am here. I said to the players one simple thing, that they have to play Shakhtar’s football and that there is a section full of people, thousands of Ukrainians who do not want to live in Belgium, but they have to live abroad, because aggressor Russia made it so that our people left Ukraine. I told them that they have no idea what emotions they can give them with their football. It is shared very easily. And these shots taken after the game cannot be bought. We lost 0-2 and won 3-2 – this allowed people to forget about the war, about missiles, about Shaheds for 90 minutes. And Shakhtar team gave them such emotions that cannot be bought or seen, but can be felt if you are there. And I want to say that there are many such people. We may not see them, but they are with us. I received so many messages in two days – from Donetsk, from Donbas, from the soldiers. I always dreamed of being a coach at Donbas Arena. And people also dream about it. So, I will require the team to understand and know how much they convey emotions to the people who are at the front today, who are suffering for our country, with their football, good Shakhtar’s football.
– During our conversation, you said that you had periods when you thought about becoming the head coach of Shakhtar. When will we see Darijo Srna not in a caretaker coach position?
– I will not promise anything. I do not shut that door. When I am ready, when I feel that I want to be a coach, when I am really prepared, I will call the president and say, “President, I am ready. You should make the decision.” But I believe that today another coach is needed by Shakhtar and will be more useful. I already told you why. I want Shakhtar head coach to be stronger than I am today. All of this must be shown on the field. I believe in myself, I believe in all of us and I believe in the new coach.
– In addition to the great support from the club and the team, our fans are also very happy for you (we can see it from the reactions on social media). What would you like to tell them?
– First of all, it is very nice to receive so many messages, kind words of support. But I know that every coach relies on the results. I know it and I am not afraid of it. When there is a result, when there is a good game, there are good messages. If there is no such thing, I also know that there would be bad comments. I love honesty and fairness – it is what it is. If Shakhtar play poorly, I will be the first to raise my hand and say, “Shakhtar are playing poorly.” Shakhtar fans cannot be fooled. They have been watching Shakhtar’s beautiful football for so many years that they perfectly understand what is good and what is bad. So, a big thank you to Shakhtar fans. They all know that I have miner’s heart, that I will give 100% for us to succeed. They all know that I am ready to be in any position so that Shakhtar grows. And they all know that sooner or later, we will be on the right track and will play Shakhtar’s football with a strong coach.
– First of all, I agreed to the interview, because there are many questions for me and the club. I have not given any comment anywhere, so I would like to clarify this situation a bit. Patrick’s invitation was due to the fact that he showed very beautiful, spectacular football at Zorya – he fought for the title until the last two rounds, qualified for the Conference League and gave a very good result. And he led himself to Shakhtar with his quality of play and results. Of course, we knew that every coach would have a hard time at Shakhtar at first. Fonseca, Castro, Jovicevic and De Zerbi went through this – they all had some difficulties, and we always met them halfway and helped them. We knew from the beginning of the pre-season, that the internationals returned to Patrick a little later after the European U21 Championship, there were injured players: Sudakov had a surgery right away, Stepanenko had a knee injury. That is why we went through a very difficult time, had patience, gave support, as we do for every Shakhtar coach. But the day has come when we have to speak honestly and openly, to be upfront and fair to our fans, which, unfortunately, we did not manage to do. We failed to play the kind of football that the fans, the club president and all of us need. We could not find a way to play Shakhtar’s football. And I can only thank Patrick and the coaching staff for a good work, but we decided to take a different approach. We wish him all the best, success and great competitive results. As for me, Shakhtar is my club and my family. Truth be told, I could have become Shakhtar coach even earlier. But I am a person who trusts others, and I always want to help every coach with their work. And I want to say from my experience that every Shakhtar team made the coach very strong. They all came here and went to top clubs after Shakhtar being different people. There is the work of the club, the team and the coach – when this triangle exists, there will be success. Today I accepted Shakhtar, because they are my family. When the family has a hard time, you have to help. So, I was not afraid to take the team even before such games and try to do everything I can. I told them yesterday that I am not Guardiola, I am not Klopp, I am Darijo Srna, who does not have much experience in coaching, but I have miner’s heart. Miner’s heart, which is very important for everyone. And this heart told me that I need to help the team today. In such a difficult situation for the country, for Shakhtar, I could not refuse and told the president that I am all for it. Two rounds ago, the president offered me to immediately take over the team, become the head coach, sign a contract, and choose the coaching staff. And he said that he was ready to suffer with me. And I told him, “President, I love this club and I assure you that today I want to bring you a coach who is stronger than me, who is currently better than me, more experienced than me and who can give the team more at the moment.” I put the club before myself, and there is no other way. I put the club before myself because no one can be above the club. My ambitions cannot be higher than the club’s ambitions. That is why I spoke briefly about the situation that happened in the last two weeks. As for the new coach, I assure the president every day, together with CEO Palkin, that this is the right choice. And he fully trusts me. And we are negotiating. And I hope that this coach wants to join us.
– We will definitely return to the question about the new coach, but now I would like to ask about Patrick van Leeuwen. Shakhtar have not changed a coach during the season for a long time, last cases were with Bernd Schuster and Nevio Scala. When exactly did Shakhtar start to realise that it is necessary to make changes in Patrick’s case? What was the key moment?
– The president was still young when he immediately dismissed Schuster and Scala, he had no patience. Today he has patience. I know the president very well. And if the president does not see tomorrow, then a decision has to be made. Unfortunately, he did not see it in such situation. We have to be honest and fair and say it as it is. We supported Patrick and his coaching staff, and some of the games were good, but unfortunately, we were not sure and did not see tomorrow. It is the honest truth. And it is better to part than to let all of us endure and suffer. I talk with the president a lot every day, and I know that he has a dream of me becoming Shakhtar coach in his heart. And I do not shut this door. I honestly told him that when I am ready and if I am ready, I will come and say, “President, I am ready.” But I know myself, when I am ready, I will succeed. So, I wish every Shakhtar coach what I wish for myself in this position. And believe me, coaching is difficult. I have only been a coach for one day, and I already have many problems. But I have problems that I want, not those that I do not want. The issue is that we have 29 players and all of them want to play. And we will have to decide. But there are many young players, and they should know what Shakhtar means. And when I get through to them, it will be my success. Their freedom on the field depends on them. I give them freedom – let them show their qualities, let them enjoy it. Of course, the coach always takes responsibility for bad results, good results are always the merit of the players. And I immediately told them that if we fail, it will be my fault, if we succeed, it will be the merit of the players.
– You have already mentioned the new coach. What should the new head coach be like and what are the main requirements for them?
– I want you to understand me correctly, we will change coaches until we find the one we need. Let it be six, seven, eight, nine, ten coaches, but I assure Shakhtar fans that we will find the one. First, every club has changes and every club has a rough patch. It would happen sooner or later. We will get through this and become stronger. But fans should know one simple thing: I promise them, and I can even say it on behalf of the president and the entire club, that Shakhtar will win trophies with beautiful and high-quality miner’s football. There will be no other option. I know the president: he likes to lose with beautiful football, but he does not like to win with ugly football. And this is the difference between our president and others.
– By the way, a few days ago you had a meeting with Rinat Akhmetov. Tell us more about how it went and what you talked about.
– You know, each of our meetings is sincere and emotional. CEO and friends of the president who have been working in the system for 20 years were also present. Let me tell you, we sat together for about eight hours. In eight hours we went through the period from 2003 to 2023. I think the president introduced me as Shakhtar player on July 6, and 20 years after he introduced me as the head coach of the team. We remembered what happened during these 20 years: there were tears, there was laughter… But we are on the right track. We talked about the war that started for us in 2014. We dream of what every Ukrainian dreams of – peace. It will definitely come, but we have to be patient, we have to help each other and believe in victory. First of all, believe in the victory of Ukraine, and believe in the victory of Shakhtar. The president even talked with some footballers, with our young players. And the president asked me, “Well, what do our young players say?” I said, “President, they want to see you.” I sent Bondarenko a photo of me and the president and wrote, “Greetings to you from the president!” And Artem replied, “I thank the president for knowing who Bondarenko is.” And I told the president about it, and he said, “Call him.” And Bondarenko then told me, “Darijo, I was up all night.” Then we called Bondar, Sudakov, Rakitskyi. The president means a lot to them. So, I promise you that we will do everything for the president to attend our training session soon.
– During your personal meeting, the president said, “Your heart has always been, is and will be with Shakhtar. Even knowing that we are planning to appoint a new coach, you were not afraid to accept the team before the game against Barcelona and other difficult matches.” What do these words mean to you personally?
– Listen, I know the president, and the president knows me. I know what he is thinking even without these words. And I had no other choice but to take over the team. I told the president, “I am ready.” And he responded, “If you are ready, Darijo, I trust you completely. You will have more support than all coaches put together in the entire history of Shakhtar.” But I said, “President, I am ready now, but I assure you that I will bring a coach who is stronger than me, better than me and more experienced than me today.”
– Over the past six months, a lot has changed at Shakhtar: coaches, style of play... What kind of football should Shakhtar play?
– Definitely not the kind we have been playing for the last two or three months. We all worked and, frankly, helped Patrick change some things, but, unfortunately, it was not going well. I am not saying that everything is his fault. No. Maybe we did not have enough luck, had injuries, the players sometimes failed to do their best, underperformed. But we need Shakhtar’s football. When I talk about Shakhtar’s football, everyone knows exactly what it means. And we will definitely have it – with a new coach, with me, without me. And I will tell you honestly, if I am the head coach, but fail to play Shakhtar’s football, then the president will tolerate it, but I do not know for how long. Shakhtar’s quality attacking football is in the first place. No matter who the coach is. If there is no such football, then we are not on the same page with the coach. Unfortunately.
– The team have many leaders and high-quality players who understand what they should do on the field and how they should act at certain moments. In this case, should the team adapt to the coach, or should the coach adapt to Shakhtar?
– Both. A coach who comes here from any team should know where he is going. He has to know that we are one family, which lives together and is ready to suffer for each other. Well, generally speaking, the coach should change. But change for the better, not for the worse, of course. And players have to adapt to a new coach. And if it coincides, then we already have a bond that is difficult to break. And when the president sees this, believe me, this coach will be the happiest person in the world. So, yes, every coach who comes to Shakhtar should change, but the team also have to adapt to the coach.
– You will make your coaching debut very soon. What are your expectations from the first match? Are you nervous?
– Honestly, there is no worry yet. I will not lie, I do not like it. I think it will come, but you know, it will last until I enter the field. When I enter the field, it is mine, it is inside of me. Believe me, when I am in the stands or on the bench, I have anxiety. Why? Because my favourite team are playing. Even watching TV, I am more nervous than when I am on the bench or in the stands, because I am not there, I am not next to them. My debut... I know that I will do everything to win. Firstly, we always have difficult games after the matches of the national team. And secondly, LNZ are a team that are set against Shakhtar, like all teams. But with all due respect to the opponents, 90% of the games in the Ukrainian League depend on Shakhtar. This is what I am saying now, even before the game, they depend on Shakhtar, with all due respect to LNZ, Kryvbas, Vorskla, Oleksandriia. They are all very good, tough teams which are not easy to play against, but 90% of it depends on Shakhtar. If we have a good mood, an approach, a will, Shakhtar have everything else. So, I will do my best to ensure that they come to the game energised, relaxed, confident and, most importantly, that they know what emblem is on their jersey. If everything I said is up to par, then we will win.
– Coaching is a great responsibility. The coach must be responsible for both the result and the atmosphere, there is constant pressure. Are you mentally prepared for this pressure, even if it is for a short period of time?
– I am prepared. How to explain it, if someone in the family is sick, caught a cold for example or has a fever, you will be the first to say that you will go to the pharmacy to get medicine to help them. I feel that the team are not at their level today. I want to help them reach their level, so that they smile, have fun, have good training sessions. I am not saying it did not happen before me. Each coach has their own approach. And each coach is responsible for their own approach. I have a different approach, where I give, but I also demand. It takes two to share love. If one does not love the other, then there is no love here. As you know, the final decision in the club is made by the president, and before him there is me, there is CEO Palkin. And we are one. I think you noticed that. And this is a system, so the team are working. If we are not a single entity, there will be no result. If the team does not play as one under the guidance of any coach, there will be no result. It all starts with the team. So, I will try and give 100 percent that I will do everything for them to succeed on Saturday. I am not thinking about Barcelona, I am thinking about LNZ.
– Who is currently in your coaching staff and who will help you prepare the team for matches?
– Carlo Nicolini, Radion Paltsun and Andrii Piatov.
– How can you describe these people? How can they help you and the team?
– Carlo is a person who has been in Shakhtar system for 15–16 years. He is a very experienced person who worked with great coaches. Piatov had not much less practice than me, and he is Shakhtar legend. And I know they are ready. Radion is a person who works 24/7. By the way, he has a very difficult job, because he has to show all the strengths and weaknesses of our opponent in a video analysis in five minutes, so that the players immediately understand what it is about. He can spend 12 hours in front of a computer, but his theory session lasts five minutes. Within these five minutes, he gives the players a lot of information. Carlo helps me with my physical preparation in terms of training. I listen to Piatov. In general, I am a person who likes to listen.
– In recent days, we have heard from our players that they will fight not only for Shakhtar emblem on the field, but also for you personally. Do you feel the support of the players?
– It is nice to hear. It is nice to hear, but I want to see it. You do not have cheer for me, although if it is true, it is very nice, of course.
– But you are an example for them, a legend...
– A legend who has miner’s heart and wants to give them what I have lived through. I know that it is a difficult time, that fans are absent, that each of them wants to go abroad and play in a top club, but we know that with our victories we can give great emotions to our soldiers, who protect the country. Before the game in Antwerp, I asked Patrick for permission to say a few words. He let me, I thanked him. I never get involved in coaching unless I am a coach. If Jovicevic, DeZerbi , Castro, Patrick or any other coach needed my help, I told them on the first day that I am available 24/7 and if I can help, I am here. I said to the players one simple thing, that they have to play Shakhtar’s football and that there is a section full of people, thousands of Ukrainians who do not want to live in Belgium, but they have to live abroad, because aggressor Russia made it so that our people left Ukraine. I told them that they have no idea what emotions they can give them with their football. It is shared very easily. And these shots taken after the game cannot be bought. We lost 0-2 and won 3-2 – this allowed people to forget about the war, about missiles, about Shaheds for 90 minutes. And Shakhtar team gave them such emotions that cannot be bought or seen, but can be felt if you are there. And I want to say that there are many such people. We may not see them, but they are with us. I received so many messages in two days – from Donetsk, from Donbas, from the soldiers. I always dreamed of being a coach at Donbas Arena. And people also dream about it. So, I will require the team to understand and know how much they convey emotions to the people who are at the front today, who are suffering for our country, with their football, good Shakhtar’s football.
– During our conversation, you said that you had periods when you thought about becoming the head coach of Shakhtar. When will we see Darijo Srna not in a caretaker coach position?
– I will not promise anything. I do not shut that door. When I am ready, when I feel that I want to be a coach, when I am really prepared, I will call the president and say, “President, I am ready. You should make the decision.” But I believe that today another coach is needed by Shakhtar and will be more useful. I already told you why. I want Shakhtar head coach to be stronger than I am today. All of this must be shown on the field. I believe in myself, I believe in all of us and I believe in the new coach.
– In addition to the great support from the club and the team, our fans are also very happy for you (we can see it from the reactions on social media). What would you like to tell them?
– First of all, it is very nice to receive so many messages, kind words of support. But I know that every coach relies on the results. I know it and I am not afraid of it. When there is a result, when there is a good game, there are good messages. If there is no such thing, I also know that there would be bad comments. I love honesty and fairness – it is what it is. If Shakhtar play poorly, I will be the first to raise my hand and say, “Shakhtar are playing poorly.” Shakhtar fans cannot be fooled. They have been watching Shakhtar’s beautiful football for so many years that they perfectly understand what is good and what is bad. So, a big thank you to Shakhtar fans. They all know that I have miner’s heart, that I will give 100% for us to succeed. They all know that I am ready to be in any position so that Shakhtar grows. And they all know that sooner or later, we will be on the right track and will play Shakhtar’s football with a strong coach.