Former defender of the Ukrainian national team Artem Fedetsky commented on the coaching changes in Ukrainian clubs.
Artem Fedetsky“Jovichevich has one peculiarity”
— What do you think about the appointment of Igor Jovicevich to Shakhtar?
- Jovicic is a specialist with a modern vision of football. He impresses me as a person. We crossed paths in the Carpathians, but then he had a slightly different position. As a coach, he is very modern, he has the right direction in training football players.
For me, his arrival at Shakhtar did not become any special news, especially since we saw the results of Dnipro-1 under his leadership. The Dnipro team showed attacking football, with high pressure and a quick transition from defense to attack. After the departure of De Zerby, this is a completely logical appointment.
- How do you see Shakhtar's prospects without foreigners?
- Of course, it will be a completely different Shakhtar. But Jovicevich has one peculiarity - he knows how to reveal young football players and work with them. Since the war continues in our country, the level of the championship will drop. Therefore, in terms of the selection of players that are at Shakhtar, the departure of legionnaires will not be a big problem.
It is possible that competition for high places in the Premier League will intensify. This will be interesting to watch. For the Ukrainian youth of Shakhtar, this is a good chance to prove themselves. And Jovicevich is exactly the coach who knows how to find internal reserves. He behaves on a par with football players, this distinguishes him from other coaches.
As far as I know, Jovicevich wants to invite several Dnipro-1 players to his new team.
- What can you say about Oleksandr Kucher's transfer from Metalist to Dnepr-1?
- We met with Kucher on the football field: both in the Ukrainian national team and in Shakhtar, we also played against each other. It was a good player.
As for his coaching career, I believe that he has not yet fully declared himself.
When Kucher headed Metalist before the war, it was interesting to look at his work. He instilled in the team Lucescu's style of play, which is not surprising, because Oleksandr spent most of his career at Shakhtar and drew the best from the Romanian mentor.
It is interesting to see how his coaching career will develop in Dnipro-1. According to rumors, an ambitious project is being built there now. But for me personally, this is not the same Dnipro that was before, this is a completely different club.
I think Kucher will continue to work in the same direction as he worked at Metalist, this will be Shakhtar's signature.
“Before, Dnipro-Metalist had a #1 derby”
- Previously, the matches of the Kharkiv and Dnipro clubs were real derbies, and the transitions from one team to another were extremely negatively perceived by the fans. Do you think Kucher took this factor into account during the transition and will it affect in the future?
- I would not make such accents now. In peacetime, for me, the No. 1 derby was the confrontation between Dnipro and Metalist. In terms of intensity and emotions, these matches were much brighter than the meetings between Shakhtar and Dynamo. But now, unfortunately, there is a war going on and our main task is to end it as soon as possible. To do this, we need to unite more than ever. And then we will return to those emotions and drive that were during these derbies.
The most important thing is that we do not lose our championship and the young generation of Ukrainian football players. If we put our football on pause now, then it will be difficult to revive it, and even more so, bring it to the level it was at before the war.
- How do you feel about the fact that most of the championship matches will be held in Ukraine?
— There are many factors. I am in favor of starting the championship. It is clear that the matches will be held without fans. A group of teams will play in Poland. Those clubs that will play in Ukraine must comply with all safety requirements. Teams must hide in shelters during air raids. Safety must come first.
Everyone understands the current situation, but it is necessary to hold the championship.
- Vasily Kobin became the sports director of Metalist. How would you comment on this appointment?
- Kobin knows Metalist well, he used to play in this team. Then he coached "Minaj", and the team under his leadership showed good football.
Now Kobin will deal with Metalist's equipment, transfer policy, as well as the children's academy. I don’t think that in our times many foreign players will want to go to Ukraine, so the transfer vector will be directed to the domestic market. It is also a chance for the youth of the Kharkov club to express themselves.
- What do you think, who is the favorite of the upcoming UPL season?
— It is very difficult to predict something. I think the traditional favorites are Dynamo, Shakhtar and Dnipro-1. They will distribute places on the pedestal among themselves.
Dynamo has a slight advantage due to experience. The line-up of the Kyivans has been preserved, so perhaps they have a little more chances.
Vorskla and Alexandria may join the fight for bronze medals.
In general, I think that the championship will be interesting and unpredictable.
Andrey Kaplun
