The new Sochi coach Kirichenko explained why Russia is not stronger than Iran today

– The other day you lost to Lokomotiv in all respects. Not embarrassed by such a beginning of the first full-fledged collection?

– I would not say that in all respects. Didn’t use their moments. Before the break, we played well, in the second half we replaced everyone, the young guys came out, they conceded two. But I would, on the contrary, bring such a game to us as a plus, we immediately saw the weak points. In any case, it is impossible to judge the team at all by the results at the training camp. Everything is under load, so the priorities are different.

– Before that, two of your control matches were shrouded in mystery, that is, the composition was not published. Why such secrecy?

– Yes what now can be secrets! Contracts are signed even for friendly games, so you can’t hide anything if you wish.

– For some time, absolute calm reigned around the new coaching staff. But I suppose you knew where you would be working after the New Year?

– Of course I knew. For this reason, we left Iran. Moreover, since the end of November, they have been working for Sochi, looking at a huge number of players in Instate and other search engines.

– “Tractor” you left the last of your coaching staff. Why did it happen?

– Actually, my flight was just later. Kurban Bekievich flew to Istanbul, and I flew to Moscow.

– Nevertheless, this circumstance gave rise to rumors about the continuation of your Iranian career in a different status.

– This was not even discussed.

– Why did you work at Traktor for a month and a half without contracts?

– Berdyev has a good relationship with the owner of the club, Mr. Zonuzi, everything was on full trust. At first there was some kind of hitch for technical, so to speak, reasons. And you know – there is a different mentality: people are not in a hurry.

– The team was left in fifth place. Not the result that your employers there in the person of the automobile magnate Zonuzi and the fans were counting on?

– I did not communicate with the owner every day, but according to my feelings, he was quite pleased. With our arrival, not only the team developed, but also the club infrastructure, the base was put in order. After 13th place, 5th is not bad. And the prospect was visible, but reinforcement was required. The fans understood this too.

– Have you watched the Asian Champions League and other international tournaments in this region?

– Only one match when an Iranian player was viewed. It is clear that this is not the level of the European Champions League.

– What can you say about the prospects for the participation of Russian clubs in these competitions?

– From a football point of view, there may still be temptations, but from a logistical point of view it is incredibly difficult. “Zenith” could if not dominate, but be one of the favorites.

– If we talk about the Russian national team, after the matches with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, do you somehow not really believe in its bright future in the Asian part of the world?

– Japan, Iran, South Korea today are definitely not weaker than our current team.

– Is the Russian national team not stronger than the Iranian one, which did not shine at the World Cup?

– Definitely not, even a little weaker. In the best composition, I suppose, too.

– To Sochi. Even before the official appointment, you were engaged in viewing the players. Which ones?

– Good, you can be sure. Preferably in every line.

– Berdyev said that the appearance of the Iranians is possible, but not Azmun. Which ones, and why can’t Serdar sign?

– He is still in the Bundesliga, though not so much while playing for Bayer. We had such conversations about other Iranians, more among ourselves. But it won’t work until summer. To whom there was a substantive interest, their clubs are not yet ready to let go.

– Is there any reason to talk about the transition of Denis Cheryshev, who is clearly in poverty in the Italian “Venice”?

– Even at the level of conversations was not.

– Is the amount for winter transfers determined, or do you have a complete carte blanche?

– I am responsible for my front of work. They give me names, I give my grades. Unfortunately, mostly negative. And the budget is a vague concept, and not in my competence.

– Berdyev said that he did not intend to penalize football players for being overweight. In your experience, does it really not work?

– Our players are professionals. Of course, a vacation is a vacation. Someone, perhaps, scored, but within reason. Someone after an injury could not receive sufficient physical activity. We don’t have those who eat anything, anytime. Taking honestly earned money from the players for an extra pound is stupidity.

– How are your duties distributed with Dmitry Khokhlov in work along the lines?

– If you don’t go into nuances, he deals more with midfielders, and I deal with forwards. But the main thing is to work out the interaction of lines, so we work in such a tandem.

– How did it seem to you at a first approximation, how strong is the interest in the club from its owner Boris Rotenberg?

– I never talked to him. The main thing is that there is a base, there are fields, there is a stadium. So, seriously and for a long time.

– After the second place in the previous season, the team is now only in ninth place. Where are you thinking of going?

– Clearly, the task is to be as high as possible. With the exception of two or three players, the “silver” squad has been preserved. So we can count on more.

– Plans for the off-season. Are there any tasks in the upcoming RPL Winter Cup, or is it a purely preparatory tournament?

– Some kind of officiality is still present, so we treat approximately the same as teams to the League of Nations. In general, the idea of ​​minimizing the number of purely friendly matches is quite sound. Today there is so much different football that the usual test games do not arouse the interest of the fans and are not an incentive for the players.

– You have already worked as the chief in Ufa. What is it like to return to supporting roles again?

– Clearly, the work is different, less internal pressure. And less salary, if short.

– Chemistry with Berdyev?

– It is interesting to work with Kurban Bekievich. This is our fourth joint experience. And, to be honest, there were no special options to lead a team with tasks during this time. And working at a low level is not interesting.