Shakhtar jersey has its own strength
Saturday, February 14, 2026
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Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan gave an in-depth interview for Shakhtar TV
– The first eight months of your work with the team are behind you, and today we want to talk to you about the first half of the season, winter training camp and the goals for the second part of the season. What were those months like for you and what was the most difficult part of that period?
– Honestly, I cannot say that I had any major difficulties and that's thanks to you and every member of the Shakhtar family. That’s why I would like to say an endless thank you to all of you for being so welcoming, for accepting me into this family and for giving me the opportunity to lead it. That's why it's a source of honour and pride for me. About our work, I look very positively. This is something that I am certain of. This Shakhtar team are quite different from the previous teams because, yes, there were always young players with potential, but previous teams were made of a balance of young players with potential and older, more experienced players. Now we have a larger number of young footballers in our team and it's a huge experience for me. I’m learning together with them. We had very good games. I'm happy with them. We could have been in a better position and achieved better results, but I believe that as a coach, I can evaluate the negatives and positives very well. We could have been in a better position, but still I learned a lot and I had a great experience here. That makes it very valuable for me, and I’m very happy with where we are.
– In June 2025, you became Shakhtar's head coach. What kind of the team did you take over then and what do you see today in comparison?
– First of all, I had a great advantage when I arrived. Shakhtar already had a game culture – a culture of playing football and doing it beautifully. We wanted to make some additions to this. We wanted to give more importance to defence and be more aggressive in our play, performing well in every moment of the game, with or without the ball. And actually, I believe we were successful in doing so. We only conceded 13 goals in the Ukrainian Premier League, and 7 of them came in just two games – against LNZ and Karpaty Lviv. That's why I'm satisfied with the overall defensive performance of my team. We only conceded 2 goals in the Europa League qualifiers, both against Beşiktaş, after which we were eliminated. Considering the improvement, the progress and how my players approach the game, I'm very satisfied. It is just that we need to change parts of their mentality because they have habits that have been there for a long time and this is not easy. Some of our lads are very far from their homes, and for the Ukrainian players, the conditions are not easy at all. Still, in our effort to change their habits and mentality, they were very kind to me. That's why I would like to say thank you to them. We wanted to emphasise defence more, not give up and play the moments better. And I believe I’m seeing all these in the team now. That's why I am happy.
– Speaking about the team's progress, which areas would you highlight the most and what do you plan to improve?
– Firstly, I’m satisfied with the progress in defence, with the commitment of my players and fact that they are ready every day. As for the things to improve, it’s about playing the moments right. And actually at this point, it is an experience for all of us as well. Today, football demands progress in every area and it is a beautiful game because it has many unexpected moments. That's why we need to be ready for them. We are missing the goal chances too easily. We are get into good positions, but because it comes so easily, we don't always value it, and we miss too many opportunities. This is something we can improve. On the physical part, I’m pretty satisfied with my players. They have good data on sprints, high-intensity runs and total distance. It is an area where we want to improve further, but some of our footballers do not have a long training history, so it’s not easy to develop this immediately. Still, we are going on a good path. We are in a good position, but we need to look at it moment by moment. If we look too far ahead, we might trip on the way. That's why we need to look at every single day as a step toward the title.
– But which element of the game is the most important for you: intensity, pressing, transitions or possession?
– Of course, if you are Shakhtar, possession would be the most important element. But even in the simplest-looking game, you also need transitions and solid defence. Modern football has all these instruments, and you need to be ready for all scenarios and able to play in all ways on the pitch. Moments in the game can change and we rotate players depending on the situation. For this, you need to be prepared – for instance, in possession, you must be ready for defensive transitions, and when defending, you must be ready for offensive transitions. You need to be ready for set pieces. In some games, you might need to run to chase the ball very intensively. All of these elements come together, and if you’re not prepared for every moment, you will be in trouble. Football is different from the other sports such as tennis, basketball or volleyball. Although I love them all, I think that football is more unpredictable. That's why it is difficult to be ready for all these unexpected moments. If you are not ready for every scenario and you focus on only one side of the game, you will run into problems.
– How do you want opponents to feel when they face you?
– Of course, we have a culture of controlling the game, and I believe we were successful in doing so almost in every match. We also want to end a message to our opponents: you cannot have more possession than us. We will be controlling the game. We will be dominating the game. There’s also another important point: the Shakhtar jersey has its own strength, a certain weight, spirit and energy. That's why I try to pass it to my players. I always encourage Matviienko, Pedrinho, Bondar and Marlon Santos to their teammates and show leadership. Because yes, there are tactics and there are specific demands for the footballers, but Shakhtar also have a culture of success, and we need to remember this every game and every day. Sometimes, you might not play well, but you can still win through the spirit of the jersey.
– In August 2025, you experienced the Ukrainian Premier League first-hand. What surprised you the most about it?
– First of all, honestly, the tactical level is excellent, as is the approach to the game and the focus on improvement. Some stadiums are old, yes, but they are full of history and very lovely, which I really like. Also, the new stadiums have not lost the spirit of the game. There is also this aspect of trying to continue life under the circumstances with the war. People love football – they attend the games, children go to the matches. I remember the away the game in the Ukrainian Cup against Dynamo Kyiv; the atmosphere was full of passion. Of course, there is competition, but overall, what I saw in Ukraine, sincerely from the bottom of my heart, was excellent and full of love. I believe that when the war ends, Ukrainian football will reach the skies again. You have an excellent federation president, an excellent national team and the coach. I will fully support Ukraine and pray for you in the play-offs as I really want the team to be in the World Cup. That’s why almost everything I can say about Ukrainian football is positive.
– Shakhtar finished the first half of the season in second spot in the Ukrainian Premier League table. What do you think is the main reason for that result?
– We were not able to play the moments right sometimes. If we had had, I believe we would have been at the top with a high point difference. I don't accept being in second spot, and I’ve told my players that as well. I hope that by the end of the league, we will finish first and become champions. But we need to fight for it every day. In the first six months, we focused on improving our players and preparing them to perform in key moments. The next three months will be about taking decisive actions. When you look on the paper, you can say that every player we have had time to play, had the opportunity. Now it will be all about delivering performance and focussing on becoming one team. I want every player to give everything, no matter how many minutes they spend on the pitch. And even if they are not playing, they should motivate each other in the dressing room. Every day will be like a final for us from now on, and to play these finals well, I need all of my footballers. In these six months, honestly, I took risks that a young coach might not take. I took risks more than necessary. That's because I truly believe in the potential and future of my players. But now, in the next three and a half months, everyone should just think about the title and becoming league champions. That's why I expect a really good behaviour pattern from my players in these three and a half months.
– Since July, Shakhtar have actively taken part in European competitions. How would you assess the team's European journey?
– First of all, I have some sadness in my heart about the qualifiers because we only conceded 2 goals while scoring 12 – and both goals were in the first game against Beşiktaş. In the matches against Panathinaikos, I believe we were the better side in both legs and dominated the play. But as I said, football is a game of results. And sometimes, God, Allah, has better plans for you. We did our best, but if we were in the Europa League, those trips against stronger teams might have limited our ability to rotate players. Perhaps the Conference League was better to improve these young players with potential. So we don't know which was better for us. Of course, we always want to compete at the highest level, but still we did our best to be there. Regarding the qualifiers, I can only say that I'm proud of my players. And about the league phase, even if we had been in the Europa League, we could have finished in the top eight, considering the games we played and the level of our performance. We have dreams about the Conference League now, but football is a serious game. In the league phase, we faced the Irish champions and Legia Warszawa, such good teams. And in the future, we might play against teams like Rayo Vallecano, Crystal Palace, Fiorentina, Samsunspor and Lech Poznań. That's why we need to look at it day by day and round by round. We have to stay calm. But if I said we don't have any dreams about the Conference League, I would be lying. We have dreams about it.
– Can we say now that winning the European trophy with Shakhtar is your biggest dream right now?
– Yes, I think we can say this. If we win the Conference League, it would be a huge success, considering the situation in our country, the trips we have to make, and the fact that our players are constantly thinking about their loved ones and families. Winning the cup could be a historic achievement. I believe it would be one of the greatest successes, not only in football, but in the history of sports in general. Our opponents don’t have to deal with air raid alerts when they return home exhausted, but our players do. That's why if we manage to win the title, it would be one of the greatest victories in the history of sports.
– Shakhtar qualified directly for the Conference League Round of 16. How important is this achievement for the team now?
– First of all, we will be playing two games less, and considering the trips and the psychological fatigue, that could have cost us the whole year. Secondly, it's a great opportunity to study our opponents in advance and prepare accordingly. That's why it is very valuable advantage for us, and we want to use it. Although, even if Shakhtar were in the Champions League or Europa League, we would have the potential to finish in the top eight. We needed to show what we have in terms of position and power, and I believe did. The club has a huge name and huge potential, but it always has to be reflected on the pitch. Sometimes it is not only about theory, but about the practice, I believe.
– Shakhtar are currently one of the youngest squads in the Ukrainian Premier League and in the Conference League too. Is it difficult to work with such young players?
– First of all, of course, there are difficulties, but I always prefer to focus on the positive side. Before they are players, they are people actually with an excellent future ahead of them, which they can offer to their families and loved ones. Before approaching them as a coach, I approach them as a big brother, and I also try to support them in their family and private lives. Sometimes I also think that I might be too loud or harsh on them, but it is only for their good, for them to become better. And it is not only about becoming better footballers, it's also about becoming better people. I cannot say that I can make them better people because I don’t have the authority to say that, but I can try to make them happier people. I want to teach them that even when we are suffering together, getting tired together or even losing together, we can still be happy. Tactics, systems, and the terminology we use in football may change, but the moments we have together become lifelong memories for them. I hope that if I can teach them this, it will be a great contribution to their lives. Life is not completely about football, and if I can pass this on to my players, I will be very happy because it is also about being a better human being.
– Can we say that it is a period when you are building the future for Shakhtar? And how would you assess the progress of the young players who joined under your leadership, as well as the development of the rest of the team?
– I think we are building an excellent future, but we need to be patient. I remember myself as a 17–18-year-old player at Manisaspor in Türkiye, playing as a right-back. By the time I was 27, I was playing for Barcelona and was the captain of the Türkiye national team. Back then, I was one of the key players, so I know this path, this journey very well. We need to see this fire and love for football in their eyes. Of course, this applies to the Ukrainian players too. When I joined, Ocheretko, was a young player, but he has physical dynamism that can contribute greatly to the team. And when you look at the team, we call Bondarenko experienced, but he is just 24–25 years old. Sometimes we push Azevedo to guide his teammates, yet he is just 22. It is a very young team, and I really understand what the directors of this team did, starting with president Mr Akhmetov, Serhii, Darijo and Salvatore. It really takes courage to build such a young squad and give them this Shakhtar jersey. That's why I really appreciate it, and I think it's a great job that they did. To be honest, I was also a little bit surprised because when you have such a team, you want to include some more experienced players, some older players, but the way we are going every day gives me great hope and excitement about the future. It is also a great experience for a young coach to build and improve a team. I would like to say thank you for entrusting me with this team. We need to live this every day. We should never stop learning, and my players should always learn. They must never step back on the physical side, they should sleep well, train well, eat well. It is the side where they cannot have any excuses, and it is exactly what modern football demands. I really trust them with this aspect, and I believe in them.
– But how do you work on the team's recovery and mental health when frequent travelling affects the players physically and psychologically? What kind of support do you receive from the club's management in this situation?
– First of all, I would like to say thank you to the club, starting with Vitalii Khlivniuk, because they do everything possible to ensure us the maximum organisation and to make our lives better. But even with their support, given the conditions of the war and trips of 10–15 hours, often waiting at borders, it is not possible to recover fully physically or mentally. Personally, there have been very few times in my life when I have felt 100% healthy, happy and well. I really think that life is about, despite everything bad, trying to go on with everything positive and negative by your side, never stopping and never making excuses. Regarding recovery, we are doing everything required by science. The federation also helps, especially during this part of the season. After playing on Thursday, we often play again on Monday. But still, how can it be possible for a player to recover after a 15-hour trip, mostly sitting on a bus, with shortened muscles and pain in their back and waist, after running 11 kilometres on the pitch? And when they come back, they need to train again. So we don't expect 100% physical or psychological health, but we do expect 100% hugging each other, 100% fighting, and never giving up. So if you're asking about the recovery, no, we are not recovering, and we will not be able to recover fully in the future either. What we need from our players the most is to keep going when we are the most tired, when we are not feeling well, and despite everything bad.
– In our first interview this summer, you spoke very warmly about the Ukrainian people. And now I would like to cite your words: “In our country, we must bring people more joy when they need it. They are going through difficult times. And I, Arda Turan, want to bring them joy, happiness, everything I can do on and off the pitch. So whatever we do, we will bring them happiness. This is not only about Shakhtar fans. I want to bring joy to every woman, every man, every child in Ukraine. This is my duty. I'm coming to Ukraine to bring joy to this country. Wherever I am, I will be there with all my heart.” What does your heart tell you today?
– Actually, this question is more about you than me. Because if I say I want to do something and I give some promises, with God's help, I try to do everything to fulfil them. And the feelings that I have right now for the Ukrainian people are the same. I also said before that I learned a lot from them: the desire to move on with life after being bombed at night, the dedication they show for life, the way they are always smiling, the togetherness and the love for their country. These are all the things that I got from Ukrainian people. And if I gave such promises, I will do everything I can. I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart. Nothing will be more important for me than children smiling during war. If I cannot make them happy, I’d better not win anything. The most important thing for me will be making them happier. It is difficult to talk about such subjects. That's why I don't want to go too much into detail. But I will do my best to play well and behave well for the elderly, the women, the children, and for all people, to make them happy in this country. And of course, sometimes I will be aggressive. I will be doing everything possible to defend my team if there is any injustice. We will be happy and unhappy together. But I will be with them, supporting them with all my heart. We will be always together. And wherever we go in the world, I will try to be their voice as always. There is a famous movie in Türkiye called Lovelorn (Gönül Yarası). A female artist that I know and who is my friend, Meltem Cumbul, is a star there. There is a Kurdish song in the movie. When she hears it, she starts to cry. They ask her if she understood the meaning of the song. and she says that you don’t have to speak Kurdish to cry along with it. That's how I feel about the people of Ukraine. To understand you, to feel you, I don't have to be a citizen of Ukraine or speak your language. Sometimes I see that you are also getting emotional during my speeches. You don’t always need to share the same language or nationality. Sometimes feelings speak for themselves. So that's exactly how I feel about you people and the world. To understand you, I don't need to share citizenship with you or speak your language.
– The team are having a very productive training camp right now Could you tell us more details about the training process with two or even three sessions per day and about the friendly games as well? What are the main requirements and goals at this stage?
– I admit that it is a very difficult training camp, but we have to accept this and we live with it. The only thing I would not forgive is my players not giving their maximum during the camp. And I can say that all of them did give their maximum, which is why I'm proud of them. And I would like to say thank you. We had a good training camp. Of course, the rain and the weather gave us some difficult moments from time to time, but I'm very happy with the way we are going. And I believe we will reach our top form.
– The second part of the season will start soon. What is your main message for the team before the competitive games?
– The title is in our hands, but we need to close our hands. If we don't, it will just fly away. To do so, we need to be ready for every moment. We shouldn’t give away what we have because we trained harder than everyone else. When everyone was sleeping, we went out and ran. That's why we need to know the value of it, and we need to get what we deserve. We have to sacrifice of our lives, loved ones, families, personal joys. Everyone should give their maximum in these three and a half months, and that includes me.
– Mister, thank you for this conversation. As always, it was great to hear your thoughts. I would like to wish our team the best of luck.
– Thank you!
– Honestly, I cannot say that I had any major difficulties and that's thanks to you and every member of the Shakhtar family. That’s why I would like to say an endless thank you to all of you for being so welcoming, for accepting me into this family and for giving me the opportunity to lead it. That's why it's a source of honour and pride for me. About our work, I look very positively. This is something that I am certain of. This Shakhtar team are quite different from the previous teams because, yes, there were always young players with potential, but previous teams were made of a balance of young players with potential and older, more experienced players. Now we have a larger number of young footballers in our team and it's a huge experience for me. I’m learning together with them. We had very good games. I'm happy with them. We could have been in a better position and achieved better results, but I believe that as a coach, I can evaluate the negatives and positives very well. We could have been in a better position, but still I learned a lot and I had a great experience here. That makes it very valuable for me, and I’m very happy with where we are.
– In June 2025, you became Shakhtar's head coach. What kind of the team did you take over then and what do you see today in comparison?
– First of all, I had a great advantage when I arrived. Shakhtar already had a game culture – a culture of playing football and doing it beautifully. We wanted to make some additions to this. We wanted to give more importance to defence and be more aggressive in our play, performing well in every moment of the game, with or without the ball. And actually, I believe we were successful in doing so. We only conceded 13 goals in the Ukrainian Premier League, and 7 of them came in just two games – against LNZ and Karpaty Lviv. That's why I'm satisfied with the overall defensive performance of my team. We only conceded 2 goals in the Europa League qualifiers, both against Beşiktaş, after which we were eliminated. Considering the improvement, the progress and how my players approach the game, I'm very satisfied. It is just that we need to change parts of their mentality because they have habits that have been there for a long time and this is not easy. Some of our lads are very far from their homes, and for the Ukrainian players, the conditions are not easy at all. Still, in our effort to change their habits and mentality, they were very kind to me. That's why I would like to say thank you to them. We wanted to emphasise defence more, not give up and play the moments better. And I believe I’m seeing all these in the team now. That's why I am happy.
– Speaking about the team's progress, which areas would you highlight the most and what do you plan to improve?
– Firstly, I’m satisfied with the progress in defence, with the commitment of my players and fact that they are ready every day. As for the things to improve, it’s about playing the moments right. And actually at this point, it is an experience for all of us as well. Today, football demands progress in every area and it is a beautiful game because it has many unexpected moments. That's why we need to be ready for them. We are missing the goal chances too easily. We are get into good positions, but because it comes so easily, we don't always value it, and we miss too many opportunities. This is something we can improve. On the physical part, I’m pretty satisfied with my players. They have good data on sprints, high-intensity runs and total distance. It is an area where we want to improve further, but some of our footballers do not have a long training history, so it’s not easy to develop this immediately. Still, we are going on a good path. We are in a good position, but we need to look at it moment by moment. If we look too far ahead, we might trip on the way. That's why we need to look at every single day as a step toward the title.
– But which element of the game is the most important for you: intensity, pressing, transitions or possession?
– Of course, if you are Shakhtar, possession would be the most important element. But even in the simplest-looking game, you also need transitions and solid defence. Modern football has all these instruments, and you need to be ready for all scenarios and able to play in all ways on the pitch. Moments in the game can change and we rotate players depending on the situation. For this, you need to be prepared – for instance, in possession, you must be ready for defensive transitions, and when defending, you must be ready for offensive transitions. You need to be ready for set pieces. In some games, you might need to run to chase the ball very intensively. All of these elements come together, and if you’re not prepared for every moment, you will be in trouble. Football is different from the other sports such as tennis, basketball or volleyball. Although I love them all, I think that football is more unpredictable. That's why it is difficult to be ready for all these unexpected moments. If you are not ready for every scenario and you focus on only one side of the game, you will run into problems.
– How do you want opponents to feel when they face you?
– Of course, we have a culture of controlling the game, and I believe we were successful in doing so almost in every match. We also want to end a message to our opponents: you cannot have more possession than us. We will be controlling the game. We will be dominating the game. There’s also another important point: the Shakhtar jersey has its own strength, a certain weight, spirit and energy. That's why I try to pass it to my players. I always encourage Matviienko, Pedrinho, Bondar and Marlon Santos to their teammates and show leadership. Because yes, there are tactics and there are specific demands for the footballers, but Shakhtar also have a culture of success, and we need to remember this every game and every day. Sometimes, you might not play well, but you can still win through the spirit of the jersey.
– In August 2025, you experienced the Ukrainian Premier League first-hand. What surprised you the most about it?
– First of all, honestly, the tactical level is excellent, as is the approach to the game and the focus on improvement. Some stadiums are old, yes, but they are full of history and very lovely, which I really like. Also, the new stadiums have not lost the spirit of the game. There is also this aspect of trying to continue life under the circumstances with the war. People love football – they attend the games, children go to the matches. I remember the away the game in the Ukrainian Cup against Dynamo Kyiv; the atmosphere was full of passion. Of course, there is competition, but overall, what I saw in Ukraine, sincerely from the bottom of my heart, was excellent and full of love. I believe that when the war ends, Ukrainian football will reach the skies again. You have an excellent federation president, an excellent national team and the coach. I will fully support Ukraine and pray for you in the play-offs as I really want the team to be in the World Cup. That’s why almost everything I can say about Ukrainian football is positive.
– Shakhtar finished the first half of the season in second spot in the Ukrainian Premier League table. What do you think is the main reason for that result?
– We were not able to play the moments right sometimes. If we had had, I believe we would have been at the top with a high point difference. I don't accept being in second spot, and I’ve told my players that as well. I hope that by the end of the league, we will finish first and become champions. But we need to fight for it every day. In the first six months, we focused on improving our players and preparing them to perform in key moments. The next three months will be about taking decisive actions. When you look on the paper, you can say that every player we have had time to play, had the opportunity. Now it will be all about delivering performance and focussing on becoming one team. I want every player to give everything, no matter how many minutes they spend on the pitch. And even if they are not playing, they should motivate each other in the dressing room. Every day will be like a final for us from now on, and to play these finals well, I need all of my footballers. In these six months, honestly, I took risks that a young coach might not take. I took risks more than necessary. That's because I truly believe in the potential and future of my players. But now, in the next three and a half months, everyone should just think about the title and becoming league champions. That's why I expect a really good behaviour pattern from my players in these three and a half months.
– Since July, Shakhtar have actively taken part in European competitions. How would you assess the team's European journey?
– First of all, I have some sadness in my heart about the qualifiers because we only conceded 2 goals while scoring 12 – and both goals were in the first game against Beşiktaş. In the matches against Panathinaikos, I believe we were the better side in both legs and dominated the play. But as I said, football is a game of results. And sometimes, God, Allah, has better plans for you. We did our best, but if we were in the Europa League, those trips against stronger teams might have limited our ability to rotate players. Perhaps the Conference League was better to improve these young players with potential. So we don't know which was better for us. Of course, we always want to compete at the highest level, but still we did our best to be there. Regarding the qualifiers, I can only say that I'm proud of my players. And about the league phase, even if we had been in the Europa League, we could have finished in the top eight, considering the games we played and the level of our performance. We have dreams about the Conference League now, but football is a serious game. In the league phase, we faced the Irish champions and Legia Warszawa, such good teams. And in the future, we might play against teams like Rayo Vallecano, Crystal Palace, Fiorentina, Samsunspor and Lech Poznań. That's why we need to look at it day by day and round by round. We have to stay calm. But if I said we don't have any dreams about the Conference League, I would be lying. We have dreams about it.
– Can we say now that winning the European trophy with Shakhtar is your biggest dream right now?
– Yes, I think we can say this. If we win the Conference League, it would be a huge success, considering the situation in our country, the trips we have to make, and the fact that our players are constantly thinking about their loved ones and families. Winning the cup could be a historic achievement. I believe it would be one of the greatest successes, not only in football, but in the history of sports in general. Our opponents don’t have to deal with air raid alerts when they return home exhausted, but our players do. That's why if we manage to win the title, it would be one of the greatest victories in the history of sports.
– Shakhtar qualified directly for the Conference League Round of 16. How important is this achievement for the team now?
– First of all, we will be playing two games less, and considering the trips and the psychological fatigue, that could have cost us the whole year. Secondly, it's a great opportunity to study our opponents in advance and prepare accordingly. That's why it is very valuable advantage for us, and we want to use it. Although, even if Shakhtar were in the Champions League or Europa League, we would have the potential to finish in the top eight. We needed to show what we have in terms of position and power, and I believe did. The club has a huge name and huge potential, but it always has to be reflected on the pitch. Sometimes it is not only about theory, but about the practice, I believe.
– Shakhtar are currently one of the youngest squads in the Ukrainian Premier League and in the Conference League too. Is it difficult to work with such young players?
– First of all, of course, there are difficulties, but I always prefer to focus on the positive side. Before they are players, they are people actually with an excellent future ahead of them, which they can offer to their families and loved ones. Before approaching them as a coach, I approach them as a big brother, and I also try to support them in their family and private lives. Sometimes I also think that I might be too loud or harsh on them, but it is only for their good, for them to become better. And it is not only about becoming better footballers, it's also about becoming better people. I cannot say that I can make them better people because I don’t have the authority to say that, but I can try to make them happier people. I want to teach them that even when we are suffering together, getting tired together or even losing together, we can still be happy. Tactics, systems, and the terminology we use in football may change, but the moments we have together become lifelong memories for them. I hope that if I can teach them this, it will be a great contribution to their lives. Life is not completely about football, and if I can pass this on to my players, I will be very happy because it is also about being a better human being.
– Can we say that it is a period when you are building the future for Shakhtar? And how would you assess the progress of the young players who joined under your leadership, as well as the development of the rest of the team?
– I think we are building an excellent future, but we need to be patient. I remember myself as a 17–18-year-old player at Manisaspor in Türkiye, playing as a right-back. By the time I was 27, I was playing for Barcelona and was the captain of the Türkiye national team. Back then, I was one of the key players, so I know this path, this journey very well. We need to see this fire and love for football in their eyes. Of course, this applies to the Ukrainian players too. When I joined, Ocheretko, was a young player, but he has physical dynamism that can contribute greatly to the team. And when you look at the team, we call Bondarenko experienced, but he is just 24–25 years old. Sometimes we push Azevedo to guide his teammates, yet he is just 22. It is a very young team, and I really understand what the directors of this team did, starting with president Mr Akhmetov, Serhii, Darijo and Salvatore. It really takes courage to build such a young squad and give them this Shakhtar jersey. That's why I really appreciate it, and I think it's a great job that they did. To be honest, I was also a little bit surprised because when you have such a team, you want to include some more experienced players, some older players, but the way we are going every day gives me great hope and excitement about the future. It is also a great experience for a young coach to build and improve a team. I would like to say thank you for entrusting me with this team. We need to live this every day. We should never stop learning, and my players should always learn. They must never step back on the physical side, they should sleep well, train well, eat well. It is the side where they cannot have any excuses, and it is exactly what modern football demands. I really trust them with this aspect, and I believe in them.
– But how do you work on the team's recovery and mental health when frequent travelling affects the players physically and psychologically? What kind of support do you receive from the club's management in this situation?
– First of all, I would like to say thank you to the club, starting with Vitalii Khlivniuk, because they do everything possible to ensure us the maximum organisation and to make our lives better. But even with their support, given the conditions of the war and trips of 10–15 hours, often waiting at borders, it is not possible to recover fully physically or mentally. Personally, there have been very few times in my life when I have felt 100% healthy, happy and well. I really think that life is about, despite everything bad, trying to go on with everything positive and negative by your side, never stopping and never making excuses. Regarding recovery, we are doing everything required by science. The federation also helps, especially during this part of the season. After playing on Thursday, we often play again on Monday. But still, how can it be possible for a player to recover after a 15-hour trip, mostly sitting on a bus, with shortened muscles and pain in their back and waist, after running 11 kilometres on the pitch? And when they come back, they need to train again. So we don't expect 100% physical or psychological health, but we do expect 100% hugging each other, 100% fighting, and never giving up. So if you're asking about the recovery, no, we are not recovering, and we will not be able to recover fully in the future either. What we need from our players the most is to keep going when we are the most tired, when we are not feeling well, and despite everything bad.
– In our first interview this summer, you spoke very warmly about the Ukrainian people. And now I would like to cite your words: “In our country, we must bring people more joy when they need it. They are going through difficult times. And I, Arda Turan, want to bring them joy, happiness, everything I can do on and off the pitch. So whatever we do, we will bring them happiness. This is not only about Shakhtar fans. I want to bring joy to every woman, every man, every child in Ukraine. This is my duty. I'm coming to Ukraine to bring joy to this country. Wherever I am, I will be there with all my heart.” What does your heart tell you today?
– Actually, this question is more about you than me. Because if I say I want to do something and I give some promises, with God's help, I try to do everything to fulfil them. And the feelings that I have right now for the Ukrainian people are the same. I also said before that I learned a lot from them: the desire to move on with life after being bombed at night, the dedication they show for life, the way they are always smiling, the togetherness and the love for their country. These are all the things that I got from Ukrainian people. And if I gave such promises, I will do everything I can. I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart. Nothing will be more important for me than children smiling during war. If I cannot make them happy, I’d better not win anything. The most important thing for me will be making them happier. It is difficult to talk about such subjects. That's why I don't want to go too much into detail. But I will do my best to play well and behave well for the elderly, the women, the children, and for all people, to make them happy in this country. And of course, sometimes I will be aggressive. I will be doing everything possible to defend my team if there is any injustice. We will be happy and unhappy together. But I will be with them, supporting them with all my heart. We will be always together. And wherever we go in the world, I will try to be their voice as always. There is a famous movie in Türkiye called Lovelorn (Gönül Yarası). A female artist that I know and who is my friend, Meltem Cumbul, is a star there. There is a Kurdish song in the movie. When she hears it, she starts to cry. They ask her if she understood the meaning of the song. and she says that you don’t have to speak Kurdish to cry along with it. That's how I feel about the people of Ukraine. To understand you, to feel you, I don't have to be a citizen of Ukraine or speak your language. Sometimes I see that you are also getting emotional during my speeches. You don’t always need to share the same language or nationality. Sometimes feelings speak for themselves. So that's exactly how I feel about you people and the world. To understand you, I don't need to share citizenship with you or speak your language.
– The team are having a very productive training camp right now Could you tell us more details about the training process with two or even three sessions per day and about the friendly games as well? What are the main requirements and goals at this stage?
– I admit that it is a very difficult training camp, but we have to accept this and we live with it. The only thing I would not forgive is my players not giving their maximum during the camp. And I can say that all of them did give their maximum, which is why I'm proud of them. And I would like to say thank you. We had a good training camp. Of course, the rain and the weather gave us some difficult moments from time to time, but I'm very happy with the way we are going. And I believe we will reach our top form.
– The second part of the season will start soon. What is your main message for the team before the competitive games?
– The title is in our hands, but we need to close our hands. If we don't, it will just fly away. To do so, we need to be ready for every moment. We shouldn’t give away what we have because we trained harder than everyone else. When everyone was sleeping, we went out and ran. That's why we need to know the value of it, and we need to get what we deserve. We have to sacrifice of our lives, loved ones, families, personal joys. Everyone should give their maximum in these three and a half months, and that includes me.
– Mister, thank you for this conversation. As always, it was great to hear your thoughts. I would like to wish our team the best of luck.
– Thank you!