Former coach of the second league Kyiv “Lokomotiv” Vadim Lazorenko spoke about the reasons for ending cooperation with the “railwaymen”.
Vadim Lazorenko— How did the story of your departure from “Lokomotiv” develop?
— Very rapidly. After the match with “Metalist-1925”, which ended 0:0, in the evening we talked with the president of the club and agreed to meet the next morning. We talked calmly. I expressed my position — that the team has chances to achieve the set goals and fight for third place. That was the task that stood before us after the winter break.
I said that I want and am ready to lead the team until the end of the championship, playing two more rounds. We were improving from match to match, and I saw how the team was progressing. Yes, the start was difficult — we lost to “Chernihiv” (0:3) in the first match, but then we won two matches and played a draw with “Metalist-1925”.
The players began to better understand our principles, the game became more cohesive. In my opinion, the last match confirmed this. Therefore, the decision about my resignation was unexpected for me. We shook hands, thanked each other for the cooperation, I said goodbye to the team and left.
— The club director Yegorov says that “Lokomotiv” will move up to the first league— there can be no other way. Was such a task voiced to you at the start of the championship?
— In fact, there was no specific task to move up to the first league at the beginning of the season. We agreed: first, we would play the first round, and then we would formulate our goals. We passed the first round with dignity — fifth place. After that, the president set a new benchmark — to fight for the third spot. And I am confident: these chances still exist now. The team will try to do this again, even though I’m no longer there.
— Were there conflicts between you and the players?
— Absolutely not. We always build honest and respectful relationships with the footballers. The atmosphere in the team was wonderful — we worked seriously on this. Of course, not everything was perfect, but we constantly communicated and explained our priorities to the players.
— Is the current composition of “Lokomotiv” capable of fighting for promotion?
— I believe that if we add 3-4 quality players with experience of playing at a high level, this team could fight even for the top-2. But the market realities are such that similar players require higher salaries, and currently, the club cannot offer that.
— What emotions do you leave the club with?
— The emotions are mixed. On one hand — a feeling of a job well done. We have come a long way — from an outsider team to contenders for prize places. It was a very bright and creative phase of my career. It’s regretful that I couldn’t finish the season alongside the team.
— Have any offers come after your resignation?
— It happened unexpectedly. Many colleagues called with support. There have been no offers yet, but I am open to new challenges during the off-season.
Oleksandr Karpenko
