Ukrainian footballer Serhiy Vakulenko, who has been playing in Armenia for four years, shared his thoughts on the resignation of Oleksandr Petrakov.
Sergiy Vakulenko- Sergiy, did Petrakov's resignation come as a surprise to you?
- I can't say it was a surprise. There is no particular result. So it was hardly a surprise to anyone.
- What do you see as the reasons for the failures of the Armenian national team? Still, 10 defeats under Petrakov is a certain indicator...
- I can't say that the problem is with the players. There is a normal team of performers. Much depends on the coach. Perhaps he failed to convey his principles, his style of play. But I don't think the problem is with the players.
Moreover, they have such a group in the League of Nations that they could go out: North Macedonia, the Faroes and Latvia. The chances of reaching the finals were good. Perhaps more was expected of Petrakov, but he failed to show it.
- Who else do you think could have been called up to the Armenian national team from the local championship?
- Everyone who is at a good level is already in the national team. But you see, Petrakov did not call Barseghyan. The man plays in the Champions League, but is not called up to the national team. They had some kind of conflict or something. Although he was one of the key players in the national team. There are not many players of this level left in the local championship. He called up everyone who could be called up.
On the other hand, with such players we could solve problems, get out of the group, but there was no result. I don't know what the reason is. But it seems to me that the indicator of a coach's work is the result. 18 matches, 10 defeats. It means that he did not convey his principles, did not reach the players.
- The local federation failed to win the fight for Zakharyan. Would he have strengthened the national team if he had been involved in the Armenian national team?
- I don't know at all, I can't say. I don't know this player. But Barseghyan would definitely strengthen this team. He plays for Slovan in the Champions League and is one of the best there. And the situation with him is strange. And then Petrakov complains that there are no players. We need to find an approach to the players. It's clear that discipline must be maintained, but it's still individual work with the player, it must be done. Especially if he is a key player in the national team.
- For many years, Armenia has been naturalizing football players. Have you been approached with such proposals? After all, almost 5 years in the local championship...
- So far, no, we have not been approached.
- Would you consider it if they did?
- But I don't want to. I'm a Ukrainian and I didn't even think about it. Yes, I've been playing here for a long time, it will be five years in January. But no one has approached me with such offers.
- What do the locals say about Petrakov? Journalists, fans?
- Not that they spit on him, but they were unhappy with the game and the result. The content of the game was not particularly impressive. Even if you look at the press conferences, there are always some conflicts, either with journalists or with fans. Maybe it's not his team, but he didn't find an approach to these players. Every coach has to do this. Few people here enjoyed the game of the national team.
- And who are they going to appoint as his successors?
- Now many people say that they want to appoint a local specialist to this position. No specific names are mentioned, but there are rumors that it will be an Armenian. Before Petrakov, there was a Spaniard, so there is already a certain demand for a local coach.
Danylo Vereitin
