Sport24.az
"I have always been in favor of a local expert working in the national team. During the years I was represented in the Executive Committee, I repeatedly raised this issue and proposed inviting a local coach to the team." These words were said by Iskandar Javadov, the president of the Regional Football Federations Public Union, in a statement to Sport24.az.
The veteran football player Aykhan Abbasov, who was awarded the Order of Glory, expressed his attitude to the appointment of the head coach of the national team:
"Every time the issue related to the head coach of the national team was brought up for discussion in the Executive Committee (EC), I suggested signing a contract with a local specialist. Now some say that Iskandar muallim voted for foreigners to work in the national team when he was in the EC. I assure you that this was not the case. Those who were with me can confirm this. Sometimes my words are misunderstood, unpleasant opinions are spread about me. Iskandar Javadov, as a veteran football player and a well-known person in the public, has always tried to develop the country's football and for the team to succeed. When the candidacy of some foreign coach was brought up for discussion, I used to say that we don't need a specialist from outside. I tried to explain that the arrival of a foreigner would not benefit us, as 99 percent of the team plays in the Azerbaijani championship. But to no avail. Not everything depended on my wish in the voting. I wish Aykhan Abbasov success in such a responsible post. I believe that the national team will make us happy under his leadership and prove that trust in the local coach was not shown in vain."
Javadov also noted the importance of the national team members living a legionnaire life: "If we want to develop and our national team to succeed, our football players must definitely go abroad, at least to the average championships of Europe. What is the reason for the success of the national team of neighboring Georgia? Of course, thanks to the football players living a legionnaire life. How many times can you play against the same teams and the same football players during the year? A player living a legionnaire life gets acquainted with a different football culture and works hard to prove himself away from home. A coach can be invited from abroad to the national team only if at least more than half of the team lives a legionnaire life and gets acquainted with the European mentality. Even then, not with a mediocre, old one. It should be a specialist who meets the requirements of modern football."
