Mykyta Kamenyuka, a 39-year-old former team captain and later coach of Luhansk's Zorya, told UA-Football about his time in Germany and a new turn in his football career.
Mykyta Kamenyuka- Prior to that, I worked for BlauWeiß Friesdorf, a German sixth league team from Bonn that plays in the German Landesliga. I was a senior coach there, while also doing an internship at the Bayer Leverkusen Academy. I can't say that there were any successes. One of the most important factors for me was the opportunity to practice while learning German and adapting to German football. I also tried myself as a coach who is responsible for the result and for the team as a whole. This year was definitely a huge plus for me. I gained a tremendous amount of experience. I think it will definitely come in handy in the future.
- How did you get into the Bayer Academy?
- This became possible thanks to my Zorya teammate Joel Abou-Hanna, who found out about this prospect for me at the Leverkusen club. After that, I practiced there for one year, after which I was given the opportunity to work. In the summer, I signed a two-year contract with the Bayer Academy and started to fulfill my duties.
- What functions do you perform there?
- I am an assistant head coach in the U-14 and U-15 teams. You live for football, the team, training, games, and players. Constant analysis, self-development. At the moment, I am intensively studying German, I want to understand everything even more, and most importantly, to speak it. After all, in the process of communication it is very important to convey to the ward what and how you see. We need to constantly improve the players, because it is very important.
- And what are your successes in mastering the German language?
- In general, I'm satisfied with how things are going with my German language learning. Of course, I always want to do better. But in this process, everything depends on me.
- Has your family already settled in Germany?
- My eldest son continues to play football. Last year he became the champion of one of the German youth leagues. He speaks German very well. At first, his knowledge of English helped him to adapt well in Germany. My younger son started first grade this year and also plays football. He also speaks good German. Our eldest son helps him a lot. If I may say, he adapts him to Germany. So I advise everyone to learn foreign languages - it will come in handy. But for my daughter, who went to kindergarten, it is very difficult to adapt at the moment. Everything is new to her now. I think that everything will be normalized soon. As for my wife, after a two-year maternity leave, she is also adapting to the new environment. The most important thing is that we are together - as always.
- Have you been able to attend matches of the Ukrainian national team and Ukrainian clubs in Germany?
- Yes, I attended both our national team's matches and the matches of our teams in the European Cups. Thanks to my friends and old acquaintances who always had tickets for me. It was cool. It's always interesting to watch and worry about your own.
- How do you assess the chances of the Ukrainian national team in the League of Nations after two initial failures? What do you think about the European Cup prospects of Dynamo and Shakhtar?
- I can't assess the chances. I have never done it and I don't want to do it. I only know that it is always easy to speak after everything has happened. At the moment, I would like to support the players and coaching staffs of our national teams and clubs. I know for sure that it will not be easy. But I would like our players to cope with this pressure. Football is a game. I want everyone to remember how much positive emotions it can bring. And the more Ukraine is in the game, the better it will be for all of us. After all, football is the most famous game in the world, the best platform. Make yourself heard while you still have the opportunity. Don't waste this time.
- Do you follow the Ukrainian championship?
- Of course I do! I follow both the results and the standings. I talk a lot with the guys I've known since I was a football player. But there are already guys in the UPL whom I know as a coach. This is definitely pleasing. I also follow the teams of my friends who play in the first league. We communicate a lot. I believe they have a great future.
- What can you say about your team , Zorya, and its current affairs?
- I always intend to say only positive things about Zorya. I am glad that it exists. The results of their performances are different: sometimes better, sometimes worse. After all, everything is temporary. The main thing is that the team is there and does not disappear from the football map of Ukraine. But what saddens me is that at this stage the team does not have its own players - those who understand and know what Zorya is, its honor and dignity. I believe that all this can be fixed. It only takes desire and time. I will always be a fan and a part of this club.
Viacheslav Kulchytskyi
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