"I don't call players to the national team based on personal preferences."
Idman.biz reports that in a recent statement, Azerbaijan national team head coach Fernando Santos emphasized his belief in all players selected for the squad, asserting that there is no principle of punishment involved in team selection.
While acknowledging some dissatisfaction with the decisions made by former captain Emin Mahmudov, Santos stressed the importance of a captain’s ability to make decisions on the field. “I believe in all our players. There is no principle of punishment here. I don't call players to the national team based on personal preferences. It's true, I didn't like the decisions made by Emin Mahmudov. I think that the captain must be able to make decisions. In any case, I invite the player to the national team due to his qualities."
- Is there an injured player at the moment?
- It was reported from the medical staff that we don't have any injured players at the moment. We will not be able to see only Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev. Another player is Bahlul Mustafazada, who is suspected of being injured. Today, after the medical examination, we will look at his condition. That's why I had to recruit another central defender. The issue regarding Bahlul is still not clear.
- What proposals did you make regarding the new strategy of AFFA? How do you see the new strategy?
- We have a project, there were negotiations with AFFA. If anyone should announce this, it is AFFA, not me. On the first day I came here, I said that we should build such a project so that we have a national team with more victory and less defeat.
- Why is Emin Mahmudov invited to the national team?
- Because he is a quality football player. He has qualities that not every football player has. He can make decisions that not every player can make. No one can think that if I come to the national team, I will play all the time. The head coach decides who will play and who will not. Football players should know that they are serving the Azerbaijani national team here. That's why we want to build our team. Being invited to the national team does not mean that he will play 100 percent. This is the case in all nationalities. Only I choose the players for the national team. I and my assistants watch all the games of the Azerbaijan Championship. There are those who play abroad, and those matches are also watched on television. In this matter, you can be sure that no one is attracted here just because he is someone's friend. Or it is not done by some agents. I have always worked in this way, and I will continue to work. This is my responsibility. One thing you can be sure of is that there is no outside interference in my choices.
Aytaj Sahed
Idman.biz
