A legend of «Dynamo» and the Ukrainian Championship, now a well-known coach, Maksym Shatskikh talks about his future plans after leaving «Andijan,» about the national team, UPL, and much more.
— Maksym Oleksandrovych, I want to start with «Andijan»...
— Sorry, but I won’t talk about «Andijan,» so please don’t ask.
— Okay. So, let me ask this: do you currently have any career continuation options?
— Of course, I do. But where, I won’t say yet, you’ll find out soon.
— I read in the media that you are offered a contract by a debutant of Kyrgyzstan’s top league — «Asia.» Is it true?
— We met and are negotiating. I’m the kind of person who only talks about signing a document once it’s done. But since I haven’t signed anything yet, we’re still negotiating.
— Has anyone from the UPL approached you with a job offer?
— Not yet.
— Would you be interested in working in the Ukrainian Championship in general?
— Well, why not? Of course, it’s interesting. I’m open to any proposals.
— Would you be interested in working only with «Dynamo» or in other clubs as well?
— (Laughs.) If there are any options, I’ll think about it. But «Dynamo» is a priority, that’s clear, and it’s not even up for discussion.
— What if it’s «Shakhtar»?
— That will never happen, and you understand that perfectly. They have a different policy, so there’s no point in discussing it.
— Do you follow our championship?
— I try to watch all the games if I can, not just «Dynamo» and «Shakhtar.» I have access to everything, so if I have time, I watch all the games and keep track of the statistics.
— What do you say about the UPL level?
— It’s obvious that the championship has declined, that’s undeniable. Honestly, it’s good that it’s even taking place in the current realities, so it’s no time to complain. Many great players have left Ukraine, so teams in the European competitions are also struggling, but it was predictable.
— Your native «Dynamo» lost to LNZ, and before that, they lost to «Shakhtar.» Why can’t Kyiv break the losing streak?
— They lost two games, and suddenly everyone is talking about a losing streak. With LNZ, it was just an accident, nothing more. The same way LNZ defeated «Shakhtar.» It’s football, these things happen. Perhaps «Dynamo» underestimated their opponent or luck turned away. If «Dynamo» scored first, the game would have been completely different. Right now, the UPL is a balanced championship, with no easy matches. All teams fight and try to earn points. I think that’s a good thing.
— But «Dynamo» is already seven points behind «Shakhtar.» What are Kyiv’s chances of defending the championship title?
— There’s still a lot to play. Both «Shakhtar» and «Dynamo» will lose points. This isn’t the kind of championship where seven points can’t be made up. In my time, seven points was a huge lead, but not now. So I don’t think it’s a big problem. «Dynamo» still has everything ahead of them.
— Who do you admire in the current «Dynamo» among the players?
— Buyalskyi and Shaparenko look good. Popov is playing at his level. Karavaev is doing well, trying hard, and contributing to «Dynamo.» We’re waiting for Brazhko to reach his optimal form. He should become a leader and a pillar of «Dynamo,» especially in defense.
— Is Yarmolenko still capable of performing at the highest level?
— Andriushka is doing well. Sure, maybe he’s lacking in the European competitions, age is catching up; he’s not as fast and sharp anymore, but in the championship, he’ll definitely be a great asset to «Dynamo» this year.
— Yarmolenko has nine goals left to surpass your achievement (UPL top scorer record — ed.). Do you think he can do it?
— I’ve told him many times: «Andriushka, if you break my record, I’ll be the first to call and congratulate you.» I’ve already kind of forgotten about that record. Of course, it’s nice to have such an achievement, but I don’t sit and monitor who’s getting close. Right now, Yarmolenko can bring a lot of value to «Dynamo.» There’s always time to join us on the coaching path.
— Let’s talk about your native position. After Vanat’s departure, «Dynamo» doesn’t have a prolific striker. How would you assess Guerrero, Blenuche, and Ponomarenko?
— Ponomarenko became the top scorer in the youth league, now he needs to smoothly transition from youth to adult football. This is a very important step. Unfortunately, many promising players couldn’t make it. They can’t adapt and disappear in adult football. Ponomarenko needs to be more involved in the first team matches, get more playing time, so he adapts faster.
As for Guerrero and Blenuche, I don’t see how they can strengthen «Dynamo.» It’s not what you’d want.
Right now, they’re not at the level of such a club. But in the current realities: we have what we have.
— Shovkovskyi is currently facing criticism from «Dynamo» fans demanding his resignation. What is your opinion?
— When «Dynamo» won the championship, Shovkovskyi was celebrated, but now with two unfortunate setbacks, he’s immediately under attack. I think Shovkovskyi should continue working. I believe he’ll definitely stay until winter, and then the management will make decisions. There’s no point in making drastic changes right now.
— Is it a shame that «Dynamo» didn’t let Shaparenko go when there were offers?
— Of course, it’s a shame. The guy needed to go and test himself at a higher level. But it is what it is. There were definitely offers from «Fiorentina» and «Lazio,» but I don’t know about other teams.
— How did Shaparenko react when he wasn’t allowed to leave?
— Surely, he wanted to leave and test his strength at a higher level, but the management decided he still needed to bring value to «Dynamo.» Today, he shouldn’t dwell on it, that’s already in the past.
— Who do you admire most among our forwards: Dovbyk, Yaremchuk, or Vanat?
— They’re completely different. Vanat is young and fast. If he were converting everything that gets created, his scoring qualities would improve. Vanat, like me back in the day: I scored two out of five, and he maybe scores three out of five. The most important thing is he has opportunities.
— What should Dovbyk do, since with Gasperini coming to «Roma,» Artem lost his place in the starting lineup?
— Even before Gasperini, he wasn’t the team leader. If Gasperini doesn’t count on Dovbyk further, then of course, Artem will have to change something, maybe go on loan somewhere, to a lower-level team. At his age (28), he needs to play, play, and play again, not just be at «Roma.» If he doesn’t play, in a year or two, everyone will forget about him.
Andrii Piskun