In the football circles of Lviv, fans are pondering who might lead "Karpaty" if Vladislav Lupashko is dismissed. Tired of foreigners and compatriots who are not always maximally effective in their work, the choice is being made with an emphasis on a combination of many factors — authority, experience, and connection to Lviv or Western Ukrainian football.
Vladislav Lupashko (photo: fckarpaty.org.ua)— According to many of my colleagues among Lviv fans, the optimal candidate is Oleg Luzhny, — says "Karpaty" supporter with over 30 years of experience Myron Lozovyi. — He possesses all the mentioned factors, and everyone knows about his charisma. This man has gone through the school of Valeriy Lobanovskyi, played not only for Kyiv’s "Dynamo", the USSR and Ukrainian national teams but also under Arsène Wenger at London’s "Arsenal". Almost everywhere, thanks to his undeniable authority, Luzhny was chosen as team captain. He has experience in coaching and is currently the vice-president of UAF. Once, Oleg Luzhny played for SKA "Karpaty" and was a consulting coach. Perhaps the time has come for him to help "Karpaty" in a new role.
One of the legendary players of Lviv’s "Karpaty" from the 60s — 70s, team captain Igor Kulchytskyi, also expressed his thoughts about Oleg Luzhny as a candidate.
— So far, there hasn’t been a coaching change, but if the team continues to get no results at all, then perhaps they will consider his candidacy, — he said. — But I don’t know if Luzhny would want to go to "Karpaty" — he likes it when the team plays and shows results. But he would go to Kyiv’s "Dynamo". Regardless, I believe his candidacy would indeed be considered in the Lviv club.
When Sport.ua correspondent asked Vitalii Kvaretsianyi, who gave him a ticket to big football, about Oleg Luzhny as a possible candidate for the role of "Karpaty" manager, he used a phrase from a famous comedy for persuasion.
— I will answer with a phrase from one of the heroines of the film "12 Chairs": "Ironclad!" — he said with a smile. — Firstly, Luzhny is a patriot of the Lviv region, and secondly, he has spoken Ukrainian all his life. I just doubt he would go to "Karpaty" right now. Why? Because he should have been offered to lead the Lviv team a long time ago. When Myron Markevych was in charge of "Karpaty", I believe it was absolutely the right decision. This experienced specialist immediately proved how to achieve results.
Oleg Luzhny also knows how to work at a hundred percent. To fully devote himself to this job, just as he can make everyone under his command give their all. But Oleg Romanovych needs to be understood, because his character is not simple — demanding, with an emphasis on fairness. After all, this is essential in any work. And Luzhny loves fairness.
In our football, when various incomprehensible situations often arise, as when in one episode the referees give a penalty, and in another similar one — they don’t, one has to be steadfast and resilient. Luzhny is a hard worker who has his own vision and knows all the subtleties of football well. He has undeniable authority, and moreover, despite all his merits and possibilities to show off, he remains modest. This person is used to calling things by their names, and that is very important.
With Oleg Luzhny, we worked together, and he always listened to advice and recommendations then. We share similar views: we love openness in communication and living without deceiving those around us. And that is extremely important. Personally, I do not know the president of "Karpaty", Volodymyr Matkivskyi. However, I have heard how much he has done for the club’s development. I am convinced that he will feel that coach who is fair. Fair both towards players, and to the gaming and training specifics, as well as to the life and psychological state between players and club staff. Luzhny is a true professional; he knows well that there are no trifles in football.
Let’s add that at this moment "Karpaty" are playing a Round of 16 match in the Ukrainian Cup against "Bukovyna" and are losing 0:1 after the first half.
