The sports director of “Oleksandriya,” Yevheniy Kocherha, spoke about the team’s unsuccessful start to the current season (8 matches — 7 losses, 1 win) and the trust in its head coach Kyrylo Nesterenko.
— What is your attitude towards criticism after the unsuccessful start of the season?
— We have been in the UPL for 11 seasons and every year everyone counts us out. Just like in the era of Sharani, then with Hura, Rotan, and up to today.
— Is the question of changing the coach on the agenda?
— I am present at training every day. I consider Kyrylo Oleksandrovych (Nesterenko, — ed. note) one of the most promising coaches of the new generation, who has a decent amount of coaching experience behind him. “Oleksandriya” is his first independent experience, and we support our young coach.
We see that he wants to build. Nesterenko has full backing from the management. He does his job without unnecessary pressure. It is clear that comparisons with Rotan are unavoidable. Due to the circumstances we find ourselves in, we have missed points at the start. He is fanatical about his work, which we like. And we will help him put the team on the right track.
This work will definitely yield results. I am ready to stand by my words.
— What will be the marker of a successful season for “Oleksandriya”?
— Currently, the task is to balance the team and direct it in the way that the coaching staff wants to see. Speaking about global tasks publicly is not our style. We keep this within the club.
Oleksandr Karpenko