The new head coach of "Dnipro-1" Oleksandr Kucher gave his first interview as the coach of this team.
Oleksandr Kucher
— Your appointment has been talked about for a long time. After it happened, are you able to fully concentrate on work?
- Yes of course. I was officially introduced as the head coach, and we will work with the boys. We have already managed to get to know each other, and I am sure we will find a common language.
— Who joined the coaching staff, and how will responsibilities be distributed?
— Valery Vasyliovych Horodov remains the goalkeeping coach, Evgeny Baryshnikov is the physical training coach. They will work as before. Andriy Yehorovich Kudymov (he will be my assistant), Yurii Gennadiyovych Ushmaev (another assistant) and Oleksandr Anatoliyovych Hrytsai, who will work as an analyst, will join the staff.
— In one of the interviews, you said that you learned not to be surprised at anything in football. Coming to "Dnipro-1", can you say that from the same category of events?
— Probably, really so. In the past, the confrontation between "Dnipro" and "Metalist" was really big, and its echoes are still heard today. So, I've been asked a lot about this transition. But now it is difficult to wonder about something in our life. I am fully focused on work, and this is a big challenge for me. After all, we have European Cup matches ahead of us - this is a step forward for the whole team and for me. We will make maximum efforts and concentration. We all want to win.
— It is clear that the composition of the team is still ongoing, you and the players are getting used to each other, but how do you want to see the game of "Dnipro-1"?
— I want the boys to play attacking, aggressive football, to possess the ball, to control the game. Scored more goals and made the fans happy. (Smiles).
— What should a modern coach be more: a manager, a tactician, a psychologist?
- Everything should be together. You must always talk to the players, understand their condition, what happened in the family. Especially now, when we are in a difficult time. Everyone should help and understand each other.
— The war caught you in Turkey at a meeting. Remember your own feelings, because your family remained in Kharkiv...
— At first I couldn't understand what happened, I was in shock. The wife called, she and the children were in Kharkiv; friends and relatives were in Ukraine. I was very worried about everyone, and it was hard because of it. Probably like everyone else.
— To what extent was it possible to concentrate on work in such conditions?
— Of course, it was difficult. And it was hard for the boys to train. But it was necessary to somehow emotionally support them. I periodically did double training.
— Now your subordinates are already new, probably also in their thoughts not only at the meeting...
— I think everyone has a lot of opinions. Every day, everyone follows the news, talks with loved ones. But we need to concentrate, because a difficult season awaits us: the European Cup, the championship of Ukraine. Therefore, we must find strength in ourselves and prepare.
— The performance of "Dnipro-1" in the European Cups is not only a sport, but also an opportunity to declare the whole of Ukraine...
— Of course, it is very important to represent Ukraine on the international arena. Both for me and for all players. We will give our best.
— Transfer to Metalist, Shakhtar, debut in the national team... Can the future coaching debut in the European Cups be added to this list?
- Definitely. For me, this is a big event, a challenge, as for a coach. We will work.
— "Dnipro-1" is your second coaching team. Remember where you started in Metalist, where are you starting now? How do you compare yourself to where you were two years ago?
— At that time I was just starting, I was a very young coach. There was also a complete set of the team. Yes, now we have players of a different class, but we also have to replenish our staff. Then they started from scratch, which was difficult and interesting at the same time.
— Have you been killing a player for a long time?
— I will not say that for a long time...
"But he's gone?"
— (Laughs). No, not anymore. At first, sometimes there was a desire to run along the edge, to play on the attack. But it was necessary to kill the player in himself.
— Did you want to play on the attack? Did the defense not pull?
— Yes, drove the team forward.
— Who of the coaches you played under had the greatest influence on you?
— Like all players, I have been in football since childhood. This is my life. Was a player, now is a coach. He took something from many people: from Shevchenko, from Fonseca, and from Lucescu. When he came to the training camp, they always talked to Shevchenko, he gave advice. I worked a lot with Lucescu, and I can contact him when there is a need. I jotted down some ideas from everyone. And I invent something myself, of course.
— As you yourself said, the confrontation between the cities of Dnipro and Kharkiv in football is serious, despite the appearance of new clubs. And in this sense, your transition here looks all the more interesting. What would you like to say to the fans?
- I just want to say that in such a difficult time we should be together. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to heroes!
