"There are no others yet. The players I would like to see will not come here."
This was stated by the head coach of "Neftchi" Yuri Vernidub in an interview with sport.ua of his country, Ukraine.
Idman.Biz brings the interview to your attention with some abbreviations.
We present the interview.
- Have you already gotten used to the new environment? How is it working in Azerbaijan?
- Of course, I'm used to it. I wake up at 7 in the morning, drink coffee, get in the car and go to the base. I am already there at 8:00 - 8:30. I spend my day at the base from morning to evening. My day is related to football, I only come home in the evening. Working in Azerbaijan is like everywhere else. Football work is the same everywhere: it is interesting, but also responsible and has its own characteristics. I would like the refereeing to be better, but this is what it is. In one of the previous games, I struggled to keep myself from saying anything. The most important thing for me is that my team plays. Let others comment on the rest.
- You are leading one of the most titled clubs in the country with a rich history. The championship no longer seems realistic this season. What is the team's goal?
- I came to "Neftchi" to improve the team's results and show its maximum potential. I haven't brought any new players myself. I have the previous squad left. I can say that the boys are well prepared, technical and fast. There are still chances for medals, because there are 10 games ahead. We will fight to the end. We want to climb as high as possible in the tournament table and play in European Cups. When I came, the difference in points between us and the leaders was big, now it has decreased. So we will fight, time will tell.
- Were you able to adapt to the team quickly?
- Thank God, everything is fine. The players understand everything, they fulfill the tasks. I like their attitude to work. We will look at the results at the end of the season.
- As it is known, Andrey Shtogrin, a former football player of "Chernomorets", plays in "Neftchi" from our compatriots. Are there any other Ukrainian legionnaires in the team?
- There are no others yet. The players I would like to see will not come here. They have good contracts and play in strong clubs. I know the proposed ones well, I don't need them.
- Some time ago, your son Vitali already started working as a coach. How is he doing?
- Everything is fine. He also works in the coaching staff of "Neftchi" and fully copes with his work.
- Is your wife with you?
- Yes, she is with me in Baku. She waits for me, prepares food. I always have lunch at home. We sit and talk with Lesya, then we relax. She also feels good here. Baku is a quiet and beautiful city, she finds time to walk around.
- Do you have time to follow the events in your homeland?
- Of course. We read news from Ukraine every day. It's very painful. This senseless war brought a lot of sorrow. My nephew has been fighting for 2 years. The situation in the Druzhkovka, Konstantinovka region is very difficult. We are in constant contact. I recently learned that their car was hit on the front line. I bought and sent them a Nissan Navara pickup truck. Thank God, it arrived, everything is fine.