Interview of Gabala head coach Kakhaber Tskhadadze to Idman.biz website
- We congratulate you on reaching the final stage of EURO-2024 of the Georgian national team, of which you were both a player and head coach. The team, which always fought for this qualification, only now got its wish. So, what was missing before?
- Now it is not as difficult as before to get to the final stage of the European Championship through the Nations League. Teams like England, Italy and Germany were in the same group as us. Of course, it was very difficult to fight for the 1st and 2nd places with these competitors. But now the League of Nations gives small countries like Georgia and Azerbaijan the opportunity to enter big tournaments. This is a great positive point created by UEFA. I think this Nations League is a great chance to qualify for the European Championship.
- The selection of players in the Georgian national team has always been good. Players who played in European clubs played in the team. But it was possible to qualify for the final stage only now...
- We had a very strong team. But unfortunately, we had to play in the group to advance to the final stage. It was difficult to fight against giants like England, Italy and Germany. The Nations League provides an opportunity for this. Georgia also used their chances very well.
- What do you expect from the final stage of EURO-2024 to be held in Germany?
- If we have gone there, we have to "fight" everyone. Of course, all the teams there are very strong. But I think that playing against Turkey and the Czech Republic is due to our strength. The clear favorite of our group is Portugal. I believe that the Georgian national team has the strength to fight for the 2nd place.
- I wonder, who did you share your joy with from the representatives of the federation and national team after the play-off final match with Greece?
- We have a rift. The football veterans of Georgia are here. Very big delivery. After the game, we all talked and congratulated each other. The president and vice-presidents of the Federation are also veterans. Levan Kobiashvili, Alexander Iashvili, Kakhaber Kaladze are also in this group. All veterans congratulated each other and the whole country.
- Do you think Azerbaijan can repeat the success of Georgia?
- Everyone can do it. You just need to set up the work and wait. To be honest, the most important thing for this is that everyone works together. The country, the leadership should support. I have worked in Azerbaijan for a long time and I know that the President of the country also supports football. When we won the Union Cup with Inter, the President received us. It was a great step and a sign of respect. Now a head coach should be chosen who will unite everyone, the whole football of the country. He should do such work that everyone will help him to achieve such success. As in Georgia. Willy Sagnol has been working for the national team for 4 years. During this period, there were also downfalls and bad games. But the federation believed and trusted him until the end. They stood behind him until the end and, behold, they achieved what they achieved.
- Speaking of the head coach, the post of head coach of the Azerbaijan national team is vacant and the names of various candidates are being discussed. Stanislav Cherchesov, Riza Calimbay... What do you think about this?
- I can't suggest anyone. It is not within my competence. This is not correct. I can't interfere.
- The fourth round of the season in the Azerbaijan Premier League starts. How is the preparation of Gabala of which you are the head coach going for the decisive round that will be held after the break regarding the matches of the national teams?
- We are getting ready. We played a test match with Sabah. We had a good game and a good result. I hope that we will continue like this and collect points. Let's see how it goes. It is a very difficult, tragic situation. We have to fight and fight until the end.
Banuchichek Huseynli
Idman.biz
