The coach of Odesa’s Chornomorets Oleksandr Kucher commented on the appointment of his team’s goalkeeping coach Oleksandr Rybka and told about the future of defender Yaroslav Rakitsky.
Oleksandr Kucher— Has Yaroslav Rakitsky joined the team after “Chornomorets” returned from vacation at the training camp?
— Yaroslav will join us on June 25-26. He currently does not have a new contract. As he told me, the new agreement should be from July 1. Also, during this summer period, Rakitsky was undergoing training for a coaching license.
— So next season, “Chornomorets” may have Rakitsky in the role of a player-coach?
— It’s too early to say this, but anything is possible. Everyone understands how many players eventually transition to coaching work.
— Last time you announced an increase in your coaching staff with the goalkeeping coach Andriy Dikan. However, later Chornomorets announced the signing of the recently departed goalkeeper of “Obolon” Oleksandr Rybka for this position. What happened with Dikan that he didn’t come to Odesa?
— Dikan will not be joining us, as we have Rybka. Indeed, there was an invitation for Dikan, a spot was kept for him, but then he refused to go to Odesa. I don’t know what that was related to. Then I contacted Oleksandr and he agreed to join us. Rybka works happily at Chornomorets, so everything is fine.
— You have known Rybka since the time of playing for “Shakhtar”. Did your personal acquaintance and knowledge of Oleksandr as a person play a role in his invitation?
— Yes. Oleksandr has a vast experience of a goalkeeper’s career behind him. He has played in many clubs, performed abroad, and has experience working with various well-known specialists. Rybka has enough experience and qualifications to be a goalkeeping coach at Chornomorets right now. The person wants to work, has a desire to help our team — that’s the most important thing.
Vladyslav Liutostansky
