Sport24.az
After the match between "Kapaz" and "Neftchi" (0:1) in the XXXIII round of the Misli Premier League, the head coach of the visiting team, Yuri Vernidub, answered journalists' questions. Sport24.az reports that the expert said the following at the meeting with media representatives:
– The season is over. Will there be many changes in the squad?
– We achieved our goal. Our position gives us the right to play in the Conference League. There are players whose contracts are expiring. Indeed, there is a need to strengthen the squad. We will have some time, we will specifically deal with these issues. There are club leaders, they will ask me questions, and I will answer them. I am sure that we will have a strong and wide squad for the next season. It would not be right to say anything now. We will look at the issue from tomorrow. We will decide who stays and who leaves.
– Emil Balayev was called up to the national team after a long time. Will he be the team's main goalkeeper in the new season?
– I congratulate Emil, he has performed excellently in the last five matches. He received his reward by being called up to the national team. We continue to work, he is our leader. It would not be right to say who will be "number one" at the moment. These will be clarified at the training camp. I have three goalkeepers and that's very good.
– Is there a possibility of any legionnaire from the local "market" moving to "Neftchi"?
– There are good local and foreign players in Azerbaijan. If I had to choose, I would choose an Azerbaijani. I would like them to play, be called up to national teams and contribute with their games. As for the question, yes, there is a foreigner we are watching. But if there are both local and foreign candidates for the same position, the foreign player must be a head above to be selected.
– There is little time to prepare for the first match in the European Cups. Could this be a problem?
– This is not only about us. Therefore, we will do our best to avoid problems.
– Can you make radical changes?
– It's hard to say anything. I don't know what will happen, I'm ready for any option.
– You are not obliged, but you think about our national team as well as "Neftchi". You are one of the few foreigners who think about local players. There is affection for you because of your attitude towards both fans and the media. There is a call for you to be part of a long-term project in the club. Are you ready for this?
– I have one more year, I will do my best to be good. Coaching is difficult, today you may be on horseback, but tomorrow you may fall. If there is any offer from the management, I will talk. I love Azerbaijan and its people. I am happy to be here.
– You worked for a long time in a club in Ukraine, but although you were successful abroad, you did not stay in one team for long. Is this a coincidence?
– I worked for a long time at Metallurg in Ukraine. I started in the academy at that club and went through all age groups. Then I worked a little in Belarus and Moldova. I returned and worked at Krivbass, where I won a bronze medal in the league. There were also interesting projects in Ukraine. Now I'm here, at my job. If there is an offer, I can talk. I am in a big club like "Neftchi". The conditions are also excellent, all that remains is to work.
