Idman.biz
"My contract expired and it was time to say goodbye."
This was stated by Vitali Vernidub, the former football player of "Gabala", who currently works as an assistant to his father Yuri Vernidub in "Neftchi", in an interview with sportnet.az.
We present that interview.
- After a long time, you came to Gabala as a coach. What feelings did you experience?
- It's very nice to be back here. This is a familiar place for me, because I spent 3 years in "Gabala". I nostalgically remembered the many good moments we had with the team. We had achieved good results. Therefore, I only had positive emotions.
- Some of your former teammates are still playing. For example, Asif Mammadov is still in "Gabala", and Elvin Jamalov is in "Neftchi". Who did you meet yourself?
- Every team has graduates of the "Gabala" Football Academy. I can also mention Amin Seydiyev, Gismat Aliyev as captains of their clubs. We meet them often. That's why it's nice. The level of the championship is rising. The kids support each other, improve their playing qualities.
- But "Gabala" is not the same "Gabala" as before in exchange for such infrastructure: It is in the group of outsiders...
- I wouldn't say that. When we investigate deeply, we see that the team shows quality play, they have made young and experienced football player choices. There are African legionnaires, and local players also support them. My personal opinion is that, first of all, they have games, they play football, they try. Believe me, it is very difficult to fight against them tactically. We had prepared seriously against this team, we had done analysis and we faced many difficulties during the game.
- What was the reason for your departure from "Gabala": Could you not agree financially, or...?
- My contract expired and it was time to say goodbye.
- As a football player, you scored a historic goal against "Lille" in France in the first match of the third qualifying round of the Europa League, and in the return match, you advanced to the stage with Filip Ozobic's goal...
- Ozobic, who currently plays for "Turan Tovuz", seriously disappointed me last week. They disappointed "Neftchi", where I work as a coach. But overall, it was nice to meet Filip. Overall, he played a big role in the development of Azerbaijani football.
- Do you have time to drink tea or coffee with Filip Ozobic?
- When you switch from football to coaching, time is completely reduced. You have to understand that the carefree football life is over. A new stage begins and you work as a coach. This takes several times more time compared to a football career.
- After Azerbaijan, was your career successful, or was "Gabala" the best...?
- In general, I think that my subsequent career was also successful. I returned to Ukrainian "Zarya", we won bronze medals twice, and we constantly played in European cups. During that time, I played football under the leadership of both my father Yuri Vernidub and the new head coach Viktor Skripnik. I believe that the considerable experience I gained under the leadership of Roman Grigorchuk, who was the head coach of "Gabala" in Azerbaijan, helped me to develop and become stronger. I also value it as a positive thing that I have become a strong player for the fans.
- Don't you think it's harder to work as a coach?
- As a football player, you only spend 2 hours, but as a coach, you work 24/7.
- Did your father take any advice from you when he came to "Neftchi"?
- Of course. It doesn't take much time to adapt to a country like Azerbaijan. Everyone is hospitable, nice people, there are no conflicts. Therefore, my father and other people had no adaptation problems. My father and mother also came to Azerbaijan when I played for "Gabala", they were in Gabala. There was a time when they even stayed here for a week. When they were here, they saw all the infrastructure, recreation areas. That's why these places are familiar to my father as well.
