Former Ukrainian national team player Oleh Shelayev, who took over Dnister from Zalishchyky, spoke about the specifics of working in an amateur club, the prospects of his team, his best friends from Dnister, and why he believes Oleksandr Nazarenko is a stronger player than Heorhiy Sudakov right now.
- How did the option with Dnister from Ternopil Oblast come about? Were there other options?
- We were invited together with Andriy Berezovchuk, with whom we worked together at Kharkiv's Vovchansk. We came, looked at the conditions and agreed.
- What are the conditions at the club and what can you say about the team's prospects?
- It's an amateur level, but it's clear that the team wants to develop. "Dniester consists of local students or players who live near this small town. All the necessary conditions are there, and if everything goes well, the team will develop.
- In addition to you, Ruslan Kostyshyn has been invited as a coach-consultant. Are two experienced specialists evidence of the club's great ambitions?
- It's too early to talk about "big" ambitions, but the management, staff and players are ready for gradual development.
- How do you like working with Kostyshyn? Do you feel his experience of working with a UPL club?
- Of course, he has worked his way up with Kolos from the bottom. He has a lot of experience in raising a team to the UPL, where there are completely different tasks, conditions and responsibilities.
- Is it true about Dnister's debut in the second league next season?
- If the club wants to develop, it would be logical to apply for the second league, because the level of amateur competitions and the second league is the same. There is no difference at all.
- Who can you single out from your team? Maybe someone already has the potential to play professionally?
- There are indeed interesting players, but I don't want to single anyone out and make unnecessary advertising. We've been working together for a short period of time, so I won't rush into anything, we'll see.
- What is specific about the club Dnister and the small town of Zalishchyky in the Ternopil region?
- Zalishchyky is a beautiful, touristy place, the nature is wonderful. It's a calm and small town that you can get around in 15 minutes. You don't need a car, you walk, you are met and greeted by a large and friendly family. As for the club, it works based on its conditions, geography, and capabilities.
- Can you tell us more about the conditions? How ambitious is the management to bring the club to a professional level?
- There is a gradual development. There is a training field of good quality, which is monitored. There is equipment, a bus, food, equipment. Everything you need.
- Which of the coaches is an example for you? Maybe one of the European ones?
- Given that I have not worked with them, it is difficult to answer. You need to work with a coach, understand his requirements, principles, and how he communicates in everyday life. Every player has a coach who has invested something in him. There are no bad or good coaches. You may like them or not, but everyone gives something. Discipline, understanding of tactics, work on technique, teamwork. Every coach I worked with gave me something, and that's what formed the football player Oleh Shelayev.
- What football dream of yours did not come true?
- Almost all my football dreams have come true. There was no tournament or cup that I regret not taking part in.
- Who can you call your best friends at Dnipro? Who do you still keep in touch with?
- There are a lot of people. Mostly with those who live in Dnipro now. Hrytsay, Polunin, Kusliy, Kostyshyn, the late Radchenko, Kernozenko, Yezersky, Mykhaylenko, Rotan, Nazarenko, Rykun. I can list the entire core team in this way, we had a great and friendly team, we all communicated and continue to communicate. "Dnipro has always been famous for its atmosphere, we were like a big family.
- The three best Ukrainian footballers right now? First, the UPL.
- Oleksandr Nazarenko, Mykola Shaparenko and Kyrylo Kovalets.
- Nazarenko? An interesting choice. Is he stronger than Sudakov?
- Speaking as of now, he is stronger. For me, Nazarenko is a dynamic, creative, sharp footballer who creates a lot of chances, he plays and stands out among others.
- And what about the Ukrainian legionnaires?
- Dovbyk, Tsygankov and Lunin. I would like to single out Mykolenko and Zabarnyi.
- What do you think of Dovbyk's nomination for the Ballon d'Or? The first Ukrainian since Shevchenko.
- It's a great achievement, Artem has achieved it and it's worth a lot. That's why he's my top 1.
- Do you think his transfer to Roma was a mistake?
- Don't draw conclusions, it's too early. Now they say that Artem made a mistake, and in a month they may be singing his praises.