The head coach of Kyiv’s “Obolon”, Sergiy Shyshchenko, commented on plans to revive the U-21 championship of Ukraine.
Sergiy Shyshchenko (photo: fc.obolon.ua)— I have always supported the idea of having a U-21 championship. Because there is a big gap between U-19 and the Premier League. Although in Europe, U-19 teams are considered one of the most important in the club structure, as it is a springboard from youth football to adulthood. But many guys get lost. You are not always 19 years old, especially if you fall under the limit of five players for graduation. In fact, someone might be 20 years old by the end of the championship. And this can be a problem.
However, when Premier League clubs were allowed to have second teams and register them in the second league, then in my opinion, it would be better for young guys if there were strong and quality teams with ambitions and good rosters in the second league. On the other hand, as a coach, I understand that UPL players need playing practice. And when you have a U-21 team, you can delegate any player to it. But when you have a second team in the second league, you cannot send all players there, there are certain restrictions. Thus, there are its pros and cons. But overall, I am “for”.
Of course, this incurs additional financial expenses, as both the coaching staff and the medical staff need to be separate. One staff cannot manage three teams. These are not small financial costs. You also will not pay a player aged 20-21 the minimum salary that you would pay a U-19 player. The guys want conditions for the first team and the presidents must consider that these are completely different expenses.
I also heard that U-19 teams, with the return of the U-21 championship, will be optional for UPL clubs. That was the case when I worked with “Shakhtar U-19”. Back then, even “Skala U-19” played, even though there was no such team in UPL. Everything falls on the shoulders of the club presidents, as it is a costly affair. We must understand that to develop youth football, these teams must exist. I want there to be teams of all age categories in club structures, — said Shyshchenko.
