Idman.biz
The events happening in "Neftchi" club are in the center of attention of the country's public. Constant coach changes, as expected, did not give any good results. Even now, according to the results of the XII round of the national championship, after losing to "Imishli" with a score of 2:3, the management's patience ran out and "Flagman" parted ways with Samir Abasov.
Idman.Biz decided to talk to Ceyhun Sultanov, a well-known football expert who worked as the sports director of the club, on this topic.
- As a person who has been directly involved with the "Neftchi" club, who do you think should lead the team after Samir Abasov?
- You noted correctly - involved. That is, it is in the past. If I were someone who is now involved with "Neftchi", then I could answer this question. But since our paths have long parted with the club, my opinion will be at least subjective and will not be of interest to anyone.
- Still... After all, any opinion is already subjective.
- Okay, if you insist, let me name one name: I would like Guardiola to lead "Neftchi" (laughs).
- You can be subjective, but let's be realistic too.
- Look, you see - I also say that my opinion, like the opinion of any other football expert, will not be interesting. Because we do not belong to the current management of the club. We can say someone, we can recommend someone, but the decision will still be made by the "Neftchi" management.
- There are rumors that a foreign coach will be invited to replace Samir Abasov, who was sent to resignation, and even a specific name is mentioned. Do you think it is the right step for a foreigner to lead "Neftchi", which is called the people's team?
- The thing is that it will be easier for a foreigner to lead such a popular, but at the same time very problematic team. A foreigner, even if nothing works out, will leave in the best case, and in the worst case, he will take the compensation due to him and leave. They will talk about his dismissal in Europe for a maximum of a few days - despite all my respect for this club, "Neftchi" is not a club that is in the center of attention of European football, not even like "Garabagh" today.
But if a local specialist leads the club and is then dismissed, this is already the end - they will talk everywhere and always that "Neftchi" fired him, he could not cope, in other words, he could not bear the burden of responsibility. And this will be the strongest blow to the image of that coach.
- So his coaching weight and name will be devalued?
- I wouldn't say that. He will still remain a strong coach, because no one can take his knowledge from him. But the coaching reputation will suffer. Because the vast majority of our coaches work in Azerbaijan, and it will be more difficult for him to find a job at the same level. Therefore, every local coach who receives a personal invitation from "Neftchi" should think a hundred times: is he ready for this, will he be able to show his professionalism to the fullest, will he cope with this burden, will it not crush him?..
- Do you think it will be more difficult for Samir Abasov to find a job now?
- Undoubtedly. Because the first time he left "Neftchi", he made the club champion. Now he is leaving in completely different circumstances.
- If you didn't nominate a candidate, maybe I should say? For example, Arif Asadov, who once made the club champion. He can also lead this team.
- Arif Asadov is, of course, a very worthy candidate to lead "Neftchi". But again, the same question arises - will he be able to carry this burden, will he cope with it? If it doesn't work out, as I said above, his image will be damaged.
Vugar Vugarli
