The new head coach of Poltava "Vorskla" Oleksandr Babich spoke about his motivation to join a crisis project.
— San Sanych, you took in "Chornomorets" at a hot situation some time ago. Did you not feel déjà vu from a year ago?
— You could say that. As with "Chornomorets," we came in just days before the start of the championship. If we made many mistakes back then, now we have a clear understanding of how to get out of this situation.
The management of "Vorskla" sets more or less adequate tasks for us. We need to build a team. There is a lot of work ahead.
— Did the situation with Zhelko Lyubenovich make you cautious when you accepted the invitation from Poltava?
— I am not personally acquainted with Zhelko. The club explained to me that he left Ukraine due to family circumstances. "Vorskla" had been in negotiations with me throughout the off-season, and when a concrete offer came in, I agreed to take charge of the team.
We immediately agreed on the shore that we need to build a team. To go through this purification process and through a certain cycle, fight for something specific. The management understood me.
— Why did you get involved in this story?
— I saw the opportunity to reboot my career. The second term at "Chornomorets" left a sense of unfinished business when everything went according to the worst possible scenario. I saw the invitation from "Vorskla" as a personal challenge for me to try to build a team from scratch and prove to myself that it is possible to work not only when you have certain possibilities.
I can’t sit idly for long. You can wait for the weather by the sea, be an expert in the studio, but I prefer to be with the team. There are many ideas, developments, experiences to leave a good memory in the club’s history.
There are quite good conditions for work here. There is a place to train, recover, stadium, food. If we set aside financial problems, this is a very serious level for the First League.
— What are you working on in these first days in Poltava?
— Primarily, we need to set the game for the team and find a balance between young and experienced footballers.
— How did the "Vorskla" fans welcome you?
— I visited Poltava many times as a footballer and a coach, so I felt the strength of the 12th player of "Vorskla" very well. Everything is great; they care deeply about everything happening in the club. While communicating with you, I wanted to reassure everyone — "Vorskla" was, is, and will be.
— Quite optimistic, considering the transfer ban...
— The management said that they will address this issue. We are reviewing footballers, there is a green light to sign them, and as restrictions are lifted, we will register them.
— Can the assets of the old team expedite these processes?
— These funds will be enough to get rid of the ban, close debts, and optimize the budget for the First League.
— In this regard, can the "Metalist" path serve as a reference for you?
— If we manage to shape the team within six months and finish the first season sixth or eighth — that would be top, I believe.
— What is the current roster situation?
— The team currently includes Myakushko, Chelyadin, and Nesterenko maintaining their shape. They have active contracts with Vorskla. We are reviewing many players, examining, looking closely. We expect five players in training camp. The phone doesn’t stop ringing.
There is experience and knowledge that will help us improve the situation at "Vorskla." The only thing is that there is very little time left until the start of the First League.
— What kind of football will "Vorskla" play?
— The most important thing is that the guys are not afraid to play football. We understand that there will be mistakes, but they should learn to correct them quickly. It is noticeable that the players from the academy are well-trained. I don’t look at their passports, and if a 16-year-old performs well — he will have playing time. No one will be held in the team due to past merits.
— How can you achieve results against more resourceful competitors?
— I always tell my players that you can outplay any team. Through discipline, character, and adherence to the game plan.
— Which First League teams do you note?
— Powerful teams have entered the First League from the UPL. Many teams know how to defend well and counterattack, focusing on set pieces. "Chornomorets" has significantly strengthened, and there is "Lviv" and "Inhulets," which have retained most of the players who were with them in the UPL. Bukovyna will be aiming for promotion, so I have no doubt that in terms of intrigue and unpredictability, it will be interesting to watch.
I would name "Metalist" as the surprise team, which started its journey two years ago and now has formed a team that has already played in the First League.
For us, playing against such teams will be invaluable experience, especially when they come to the "Lviv" or "Chornomorets" stadiums.
Oleksandr Karpenko