The new head coach of Cherkasy LNZ Roman Grigorchuk spoke about how the preparation of his current team for the second part of the current season is going.
— Roman Yosypovych, it has been a month and a half since you took over LNZ. What are your impressions of the club and the team?
— The general impression from the first communication with the management was positive and encouraging. Even more than encouraging. I saw that the people have great goals and ambitions in football, and they clearly understand how to achieve them. For this, time, consistency, and gradual progress are definitely needed.
We have big plans and a lot of work ahead of us. I understand that we will not do everything too quickly, but this is very interesting. I am confident that we will achieve high results.
— At the moment of the equator of the training camp, how ready are the players for the spring part of the season?
— We have a slightly unusual situation. I think every coach dreams of going to a training camp with a team that is at least 95% complete, when they know the players' capabilities, work according to a structured plan, and have good conditions. This is somewhere an ideal picture. Ours is a bit different.
First of all, we are not yet at full strength. For various reasons, a number of players are absent. Secondly, we are in a situation where we needed to get to know the footballers and study their capabilities. The players need to understand the football that the coaching staff offers them, and we need to understand the capabilities and characteristics of the performers.
We cannot just say: «We play this kind of football and that's it! We can or cannot, but we will bang our heads against the wall». No. We must find the best style so that each player can realize themselves in it best. Of course, players must believe in this and enjoy it. Then progress is inevitable.
In the friendly matches, we have already seen quite good moments regarding what we require. The players' attitude is, of course, very good. Physically, they have trained well. There are no complaints. Overall, we have taken a lot from the time we have already spent here, especially from the two matches.
— Recently, the head coach of the national team of Ukraine, Serhii Rebrov, visited the LNZ training camp. How fruitful was the meeting?
— You know, a meeting with the national team coach is always a good signal for footballers. Rebrov himself, when he briefly spoke to the guys, emphasized that the road to his team is open for everyone. And we see examples that this is indeed the case.
The coach has full information and sees everything. Any footballer can get into the national team. And I think this is a huge achievement for a player. It is the most complete life if a footballer plays for a club that competes in European cups and plays for his national team. This is just a wonderful picture.
— How did your arrival at LNZ happen?
— We spoke with the sports director Yevhen Volodymyrovych Tarasenko, then met with the club's management. Everything happened very quickly for us. We met and agreed on everything.
There were no long discussions or a desire to take time for any reflections. I had a colossal impression from communicating with the management. Just colossal! When we had agreed on everything, I felt that I was incredibly eager to help these people achieve their set goals. This is what I live for.
— What term is your contract for?
— For 2.5 years.
— You have repeatedly stated openly that you want to lead LNZ to the European cups. How long do you think it will realistically take to accomplish this?
— I believe that in order to do something significant in the team, as in this situation, one should never talk about a long time. I think the offseason, half a season, and another offseason is a lot of time to do a lot in this direction.
In order to get into European cups and then not be eliminated in the first rounds, which is not very good, but to reach the group stage, the team must be properly, qualitatively, and quantitatively equipped. This is a requirement without which you go nowhere.
I also think that the quality of the football itself is of great importance, which can be played in different ways. To achieve high results and do it consistently, the football must be solid. I mean the style and approach itself.
— Volodymyr Shepelev, Oleksandr Andriievskyi, Nazarij Rusyn — all these names resonated in and around LNZ this winter, but ultimately the players ended up in other teams. Why couldn't you come to an agreement?
— We have negotiated not only with those footballers you mentioned but also with a large number. Perhaps this is around a dozen known players with whom we tried to communicate and make offers. However, not everything is so simple. There are moments that cannot be overcome, and, unfortunately, they are not on our side.
— They say you had a wonderful contact with Rusyn in «Chornomorets», although he didn’t even manage to play one official match under your management before the full-scale invasion.
— Well, regarding Rusyn, I can say without secrets that I not only respect him, but I love him as a person and a footballer. Therefore, my attitude toward him is just colossal.
— What positions are you still looking to strengthen?
— Of course, we want to further strengthen the competition in the attacking line. As for characteristics, these footballers must definitely be fast and sharp. They must be able to beat one-on-one and constantly pose a threat.
— A new training base has been built for LNZ in Heronymivka. What do you think of it?
— As for the fields, which I am very demanding about, I can say that they are 10/10. The quality is excellent. I see that people understand everything: how to preserve, care for, and maintain them. In this regard, everything is good.
As for the rest of the base, nothing can be said yet. We probably have to stay for some time in conditions where there is still no building, you know, for the players to live there, recover, and eat. However, everything is being planned. We understand that this simply takes time.
— What level will the base be, compared to what you have seen from your experience in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan?
— Well, what our leaders plan to do will be top-level. However, what can we discuss about it now? This will take a year, maybe two. I cannot give you any timelines here because I just do not know.
— What should fans expect from LNZ in the spring?
— I always say that the team must play for the fans. We respect football as a whole and all the people who will watch us. Therefore, accordingly, we must go onto the field and give ourselves to this football. We will do everything to ensure that fans get pleasure.
I understand that I cannot guarantee or promise anything. I will just say that we will do our utmost and a little more than we can. I believe that we will achieve a lot, and in the near future, we will please the fans with both results and good, high-quality football.
Dmytro Venkov