Idman.biz
The changes in Azerbaijani swimming did not escape the attention of Idman.biz. After learning about the position of the former head coach of the national team, Rashad Abdurahmanov, we contacted the leadership of the federation – more precisely, the general secretary of the organization, Oqtay Atayev, to get their opinions on the matter. We started our conversation with the latest changes in the team.
- Rashad Abdurrahmanov, moving from the position of head coach of the national team to the position of advisor to the federation, stated that there is no conflict between him and the structure...
- I can only confirm his words. I would even add that his new position as an advisor is actually a kind of promotion. We need him!
- In that case, why did the federation dismiss him from the position of head coach?
- He has been in this position for 12 years, and that is long enough. We already needed a new breath, a different perspective. Unfortunately, the level of the Azerbaijani swimming school is not yet sufficient to compete with the leading European countries, as well as at the world level.
- But he was dismissed immediately after two gold medals were won at the CIS Games for the first time in Azerbaijani history...
- This fact proves once again that we have no problems with Rashad muallim. His transfer to another position is not a sudden decision made in connection with some negative event. This was a pre-planned, well-thought-out step. I emphasize once again: we needed a new breath to achieve our goals. For this, we needed a foreign specialist - someone who does not have personal relationships with local coaches and does not hesitate to make objective decisions. And also someone who does not have his own students here and does not have to promote someone.
Rashad muallim will be given some time to rest. After he gets acquainted with our new strategy, we plan to involve him in our major projects.
- It seems that the position of sports director in the national team is also held by a foreign specialist. Could there be a conflict of interest?
- Yes, that's absolutely right. Since September, the sports director of the national team has been the French specialist Pierre Lafontaine. We will try to ensure that there is no conflict of interest. All coaches will be subordinate to the sports director, and Rashad Abdurahmanov will provide advice on the organization of competitions and coordination between coaches. Our goal in appointing him as an advisor is not to part ways with him. On the contrary, we will maximize the great experience he has gained in competitions of various levels.
- But you still haven't mentioned the name of the head coach who will replace him...
- An official announcement will be made about this in the coming days.
Vugar Vugarli
