Serhii Rebrov: "I have made my decision"

The head coach of the Emirati "Al-Ain" Serhiy Rebrov gave a comment to the Telegram channel "Bombardir" regarding all the rumors surrounding his name in the context of a position in the national team of Ukraine.

- Too much talk on this topic. First, I would like to ask a question of journalism. What is the purpose of journalism? What do journalists want to achieve with their statements? I believe that the purpose of journalism is to describe some events well or to predict them. Now, as far as I can see, the goal of many journalists is to make some kind of sensation on someone else's name (now on mine), and to spin this topic constantly to draw attention to themselves and, probably, to give some negativity to my name. Because I don't comment on anything. I believe that what is happening in the Ukrainian media space around my name and the national team is not normal.

Until the end of my current contract with the club, I will no longer speak on this topic. I respect my contract and my club where I work. Al Ain is currently the only team in the UAE competing in three tournaments - two Cups and we are fighting for the championship. I don't know what we will get out of this. But I am sure that we will fight until the end and try to perform as well as possible in all tournaments. And in this situation, I want to focus as much as possible on my team. And I'm not going to comment on anything, no posts. Because now, if Rebrov has not commented on something, then he has something behind his back. They think I'm hiding something.

I repeat once again: I respect my country, I respect the national team of my country, I respect those coaches who worked and are working there. And if you ask my opinion, I will say that there are enough qualified coaches in Ukraine, whose work I respect, and who work in Ukraine. The same Yuriy Vernydub, Roman Grigorchuk, the same Viktor Skrypnyk. They work and have been doing it successfully for many years. I believe that Rebrov is not the only candidate for the position of head coach of the national team. I named many coaches who are worthy of the national team. The same Yuriy Kalitvyntsev can apply.

And it was very unpleasant for me to hear the words of Myron Markevich. Whom I respect, who worked very successfully in Ukraine, for a short time, but worked with the national team. He understands what the daily work of a coach is like, how difficult it is. And when he declares to the whole country that Ukraine is waiting for the Messiah, he offends himself. Not me, not the association. I don't know what he wanted to show with that. I believe that there are enough coaches in Ukraine. This is not my prerogative. It's not me who chooses the coach of the national team. And it's not my fault that I have a contract until the end of June. I will make my own decisions.

Those comments that come from here are me commenting on my future to local journalists. And if someone there heard the word "Inshallah" and somehow translated it... Anyone who has been to the UAE knows that this word is spoken here after many situations. And the word "Inshallah" means everything. God willing means He will. Won't give - that's fine too. This word means: "Okay, wait and you'll find out." And now this word is interpreted as if I said "God willing, I will extend my contract with Al Ain."

Once again, I respect my team, my work, even more I respect the national team of my Ukraine. But this question is not for me, but for the association. I believe that this should not be commented by journalists, but by UAF representatives. And don't address it all to me. Because now one gets the impression that Rebrov has already caught everyone. And I'm sitting here, quietly working and not knowing anything about it at all, when my friends call me and say: "Listen, what's happening in Ukraine is not normal."

Therefore, now I would like to once again comment on the existing situation and say once again: I have never refused to work with the Ukrainian national team. Especially in the situation our country is in. But I want everyone to respect me and my contract with Al Ain, let me finish and then I will make a decision.

— I understand that you cannot comment on some things now. I wonder how your club reacts to all the background information surrounding your name. That you are already here, advising the national team, you will already be in the national team... What does your current club say? Is the information not reaching them?

— Information reaches journalists. And when they ask me: "What kind of press conferences are there?", of course I answer some questions, I have to answer. But I say again: the way I was treated well at Al-Ain, I was not treated anywhere, not even at Dynamo Kyiv. In any team, wherever I worked. That's why I respect the people here. Even if they read something, they know me, they know my character. If I said something, I meant to say it. These are my words. If something needs to be commented on, they know that I am honest and will see the contract through to the end, and then I will make a decision.

— Many say that you are already communicating with UAF President Andriy Pavelko. How true is this? Is it not correct to talk about it now at all?

— A coach can sign a contract for six months, but no one has the right to announce this contract. I can talk to anyone. I can't tell you this, it's my personal life and my personal contacts. And I once again ask all people in Ukraine to respect me, I will figure out who I should talk to.
I have games for two months, three days until the fourth, and now I have to focus on my team, which needs me and needs me. And one should not deny or confirm the rumors of journalists who are simply trying to make a name for themselves, to show their importance in someone else's name (mine, Markevich or Leonenko). If people are working, then focus on your work, and don't call every day and shout about some nonsense that Rebrov signed a contract for 10 years.

I do not understand how such nonsense could be written, where did this information come from? Let those people who call themselves insiders say where they got their information. If they respect me. If they throw such nonsense, such theses to the fans, then let them say where they got the information from. And don't just shout: "I'm an insider." Look, I have the inside scoop. I'm the coolest." So tell me where you got this information from, and then we'll check it and tell you if you're talking nonsense or if you're telling the truth. Everyone should be responsible for their words.

— Before the match of our national team with England, in an interview with Dynamo from Shuryk, you said that you have nothing to do with the team's training. Rotan repeated for the 15th time in an interview with "TaToTake" that certain decisions are made with you in contact and it is precisely from your message. And who is right?

— After that interview, I called Rotan. And before that, Ruslan called me once. He has no experience working with the national team. I told him: "Ruslan, I will help you with everything you need." I work with Yarmolenko, I know many guys with whom I call. I will give you any help you ask for. But I never in my life told Ruslan that I was the next coach of the national team, or gave him any instructions: what to do, who to call up, who to place. You can ask Ruslan. I spoke to him exactly once. And I said that I am ready to provide any help.

— But it's not about coordinating lists or anything else, just communication?

- Of course. And what kind of relationship can I have with the national team if I have a valid contract with my club. How can I advise someone if I have 3 games a week, if I don't leave the computer. How can I advise a coach without having any idea who he is playing with and having no idea about the quality of our players at the moment. If he took up work with the national team, then he took on a large amount of work: look at all the candidates, look at the opponents and, on the basis of this, build his game plan, which he did.

- The last one. Have you decided for yourself what will happen next after the end of your contract with Al Ain?

— I have made my decision.