"This is a swindler who ruined everything at Shakhtar": how foreign selectors worked at the Donetsk club

Shakhtar Donetsk's long-time scout Oleksiy Cherednik spoke about the work of foreign specialists who headed the Pitmen's selection department.

"First came Dutchman Jan Streuer. A cool bloke, I adore him. He came, took a look and said: "Guys, work, you know everything here without me." So he stayed out of our way. Then he left, and the selection service was headed by a famous Portuguese specialist - Luis Gonçalves.

Small problems started. Let's say, disagreements in selection work. But, in general, nothing, it was normal. They brought Fernandinho, Willian, Ilsinho, Douglas Costa, Teixeira... In general, they put together a great team.

But then he left for Porto and came Jose Botu - a swindler who ruined everything. He removed one, another, another, another. Sergei Atelkin wanted to be sacked, but he was defended. I think that's why Sergei had heart problems. He didn't survive such a blow. Botu pushed me out too, but I don't take offence to it. That's the way it is, everyone has his own vision. And then the war started - and that was it," said Cherednik.