"Dnipro-1 disappeared from the Ukrainian soccer map in the summer. The coaching staff and players of Dnipro-1 spent most of their time in a waiting mode, hoping that the club, which qualified for the European Cup at the end of the season, would continue to exist. Now, when the team actually exists only on paper, former head coach Yuriy Maksimov admitted in a frank interview what he regrets during his time at Dnipro-1 and why the Dnipro club ceased to exist.
- How are you now? What are you doing?
- Yesterday I participated in a veterans' match in the Odessa region. It was interesting to play, now I am going back home.
- In July interview you said that there were three employees left in Dnipro-1: head coach, director and accountant. Are you still an employee of the club?
- Not anymore, I was fired in July.
- How did the situation at Dnipro-1 develop? After the match with Chornomorets there were plans to continue the club's existence, and in June everything changed.
- Yes, there was a plan that 5 players would be sold, so that there would be money for existence, and then everything changed in a moment. Why? That's not for me.
- When did the problems start in the club? During the championship?
- I think that the players already realized where everything was going during the championship.
- Do you feel cheated by the management of Dnipro-1, when they promised one thing and got another?
- Yes, I did not think that this could happen. If I knew, I would not have transferred to Dnipro-1. I had only one transfer, when Ocheretko was taken on loan in winter, but several players left the team. When the transfer ban was lifted in winter and certain debts were paid, I thought that everything would be fine. But the debts accumulated and the transfer ban was imposed, in fact, every six months. Then Kolomoisky refused from Dnipro-1, saying that "now you have to pull your own weight".
- You are almost the only one in Dnipro-1 who publicly stated that one person decides everything in the club. Did the same Fridman or Rusol complain to you?
- Yes, there was a conversation that it is impossible to say such things publicly, but everyone understands everything perfectly well.
- Does the club still have debts to you and your coaching staff?
- No, there was a full settlement with me and my coaching staff. I know that the administrative link has also been settled. With the same Shelayev and Polunin. The situation with the players is more complicated. The management promises that they will settle accounts with all of them.
- Do you regret the decision to head Dnipro-1 or was it a good experience?
- There were certain nuances, which I do not want to talk about. The main thing is that we all realize that it was the same Dnipro, but with a unit. Dnipro, as a soccer city, played a big role in my career.
- What coaching decision or success are you most satisfied with, and what do you regret?
- Successes are victories over Dynamo and Shakhtar in the first round, we fought for the highest places. I have sadness and resentment only for one thing, which I directly told Fridman and Rusol. We could have fought for the top-3, but in winter there was no proper reinforcement and work in the transfer market. As a result, instead of people who could really help on the field, we had young guys on the bench.
- What are your plans for the future? In the summer they said that there was an interest of Chornomorets to cooperate with you as a head coach.
- I have not heard about Chernomorets. Now I periodically go to veterans' matches, I enjoy it. And how it will be in the future - we will see. It happens in soccer, someone is appointed, someone is fired. If you give results - you work, if you don`t - goodbye.
Maxim Kovalenko