Former «Shakhtar» player Ihor Duliay recalled how Mircea Lucescu built the training process in his former team.
Ihor Duliay— How did Lucescu differ from other coaches in your career?
— «Shakhtar» then changed its policy and began to focus on young footballers. The president decided that he needed a coach with a name and experience for this. Lucescu had previously worked with «Galatasaray» and «Besiktas» — major clubs in Turkey. He knew how to develop youth. Thus, at 24, I became one of the oldest players on the team.
I doubt that Lucescu’s training would have been sustained by players over 30. They would have broken down. We were locked at the training base for several days and even forced to maintain an incredible tempo the day before the Champions League match. This suits players aged 20−25.
Lucescu conducted extensive analysis almost every day and watched all the games multiple times. He didn’t miss any details. When you stepped onto the field, you already knew how the opponent’s team would play, who would be standing where, and what needed to be done.
— Were the players afraid of Lucescu?
— Lucescu’s authority comes from his knowledge. We looked at him almost like a father. You keep quiet and work.
Lucescu could shout. Some would accept it, while for others, it went in one ear and out the other. Now it’s a completely different generation. Back then, it needed more aggressive management.
Lucescu didn’t criticize just to criticize. He wanted you to avoid making mistakes. Personally, I viewed it as a school. I learned a lot from Lucescu and from the good footballers around me. This was the best period of my growth as a player and as a person.
— What is the wisest thing you heard from Lucescu?
— Perhaps it was his words before the UEFA Cup final against «Werder» (2:1). At that time he said, «Everyone remembers only the winner. No one will remember who came in second.» After that, many used this phrase.
Dmytro Vienkov
