"I don't want to swear... I tell it like it is": Markevich reveals the reason for leaving Karpaty

Former head coach of Karpaty Myron Markevych commented on his decision to leave the Lviv club.

- Myron Bohdanovych, your resignation is somewhat puzzling. How can an ambitious coach who has led a team to the Premier League just hand in his resignation?

- So what's the big deal? I handed in my resignation. There were reasons for that. But I emphasize: it was my decision. No one wanted to fire anyone.

- But you made a Premier League team, you probably had certain plans for it.

- Everything is simple here. We had reached the top flight, and I wanted to compete for places in European competitions with Karpaty right away. To solve these problems, we needed the right qualified players. That was my vision. The club president has a different vision. He believes that we need to move gradually towards international games. In a year or two or three. I understand him. If I was 50 years old, I might have agreed to such an offer. But when you are over 70 and feel that you can do it, you want results.

- You have always strived for maximum results wherever you have worked.

- You are right. To be honest, I was focused on the goal of getting Karpaty to the European Cups next season. And balancing on the edge of the fight for prize places and the relegation zone is not for me, I'm not interested in it.

- It was written that you had a conflict with the president.

- We had different visions of the team's ambitions for the next season. We still have a good relationship, we have no complaints about each other. I do, for sure, and I hope the president does too.

- According to reports, there were some underhanded games at Karpaty. Lupashko arrived, took over the youth team, and now he is the head coach of Karpaty.

- To be honest, I don't want to swear, because it doesn't matter who came there. I'm telling it like it is. The goal was to bring Karpaty to a completely different level. We needed players who could realize the task. I have this vision, and the president wants to stretch these ambitious plans over time.

- Which players did you invite to the top flight?

- Only the qualified ones. There is no point in mentioning their names - they are already employed by other clubs.

- What can the level of Karpaty, which has reached the Premier League, expect in the championship?

- In my opinion, if we take into account the squad with which we entered the top league, I think it will share 8-12 places in the standings.

- You were not satisfied with Karpaty's goals for the current season. Will you rest, or are you ready to lead an ambitious team?

- For God's sake, you know my position in life. Tomorrow I play for the veterans of Karpaty against the military. I always try to keep myself in shape.

In general, my wish is for football to be at a high level in Lviv. I want Karpaty to reach the level of European competitions.

I had a very good year. Thanks to the players, the coaching staff, the staff of the training base and the stadium, we solved the main task - we returned to the Premier League. Of course, we wanted to take the first place in the First League, but, apparently, we relaxed too early. It's my fault, too, because we can't lose 8 points of advantage.

Gennadiy Chekhovskiy