Former midfielder and head coach of Dynamo Kyiv Oleksandr Hatskevich, who recently took over Polish side Zaglembie, spoke about his new job, the Ukrainians who might appear in his team and his agent Vadym Shabliy.
Alexander Hatskevich- Alexander, I congratulate you once again on your new position. What goals has the Zaglemba management set for you?
- This team has only one goal - to try to stay in the First Division (the equivalent of the Ukrainian First League - ed.)
- What infrastructure does the club have?
- Let's start with the main arena where the team plays. It was commissioned in 2023. The Polish champion Raków rented this stadium and played its Europa League group stage matches here. The team also has three natural and two artificial pitches and an inflatable arena. There is a gym, everything for the players' recovery. In terms of infrastructure, everything is at a high level.
- What problems does the team have and what do you intend to solve first?
- Any team starts building from the defence. When Zalembe concedes 30 goals in 19 matches, there is only one conclusion - to improve the game in defence. Change the formation in the game a little bit. This is what we have seen in two weeks. Everything is decided by personnel, players. We need to strengthen some positions, including in defence.
- Do you have any developments on transfers?
- Of course, we have. We don't have much time and we need to work quickly. We need to take players to solve problems. Youth is great, of course, but we need experienced and motivated players who will try to achieve the goal.
- Should we expect Ukrainians in your team?
- Nowadays, Ukrainians are not legionnaires. A player's passport is not important to me. Yes, of course, there will be Ukrainians, and Lesha Bykov (former Mariupol player - ed.) is already playing here. We are currently negotiating with some other players from Ukraine who can come here on a contract. Someone will also come for a viewing. There are also Poles, and there are proposals for other players from the European Union. So we are in the process of watching both video and live.
- The other day there wasinformation that Oleksiy Dovgyi, a midfielder from Rukh Lviv, would joinZaglemba.
- Yes, it is true. Lesha is already here, and today (Wednesday, 23 January - ed.) he passed a medical examination. In principle, if everything is fine, we will sign a contract with him.
- The former Metalist player Severin Hantsarczyk joined the coaching staff. Tell us, who else can become your assistant?
- Gantsarchyk has joined, yes. He knows this league, he worked in the first league. He speaks Russian, which is important in terms of helping with translation. He's a local guy, he lives in Katowice, which is 15 km away. He is his own man here.
Who else is coming in? Volodya Arzhanov (former player of Chornomorets and Arsenal Kyiv - ed.) joined us as a coach and analyst. We also have a goalkeeping coach with whom I have worked before. A Polish guy remains the physical training coach. He has been working with the team for a year now, knows them well and helps us a lot. Basically, this is our entire coaching staff.
- Rumours have long linked you with Vorskla. Why didn't it work out?
- I had contact with Vorskla's management. They opted for Dolgansky. This is their decision and that's it. This is a normal situation. They just decided in favour of another coach. This is a normal practice.
- Recently, Oleksandr Hatskevich showed how to communicate with the Russians. Ukrainians positively assessed your position. Did those journalists call again afterwards? What did they really want?
- I don't know what they wanted, but they probably didn't expect what they got.
-How did theZaglembeoption come about?
- I got a call from an agent, a Polish guy. He offered me this option. He said that the investor would be changing and, if I had the opportunity, I could help the team keep its place. Moreover, at the end of the year in Poland, I received work and residence permits. These documents gave me the opportunity to stay here, even though my family and I were already planning to return to Ukraine.
- The Polish press reported that the Ukrainian agent Vadym Shabliy, with whom you used to work, is close to buying Zaglemba. Is this true?
- Well, recently (Monday, 22 January - ed.) there was a press conference here at the stadium, attended by the sports and general director, the club's new investor and the mayor of the city to which the club belongs, it's a city team. And I definitely did not see Vadym Shabliy at this event.
- Are these just rumours?
- I'm telling you what I saw. There was a new investor who was asked questions. He replied that there is some kind of partnership with Vadym, but Shabliy's agency also offers players like any other. Everyone is on equal terms. If there is a good player from Prostar (Vadym Shabliy's agency - ed.), we will take him. If another agency offers a suitable player, we will also take him.
I will repeat that I did not see Vadym Shabliy at that press conference.
-You said that the option with Zagłębie was offered by a Pole. Could you elaborate?
- An agent from Poland. I've been living here for about 6-7 months, and I have friends here too.
Yevhen Chepur
