New Year confession of Armenia manager Vardan Minasyan

By Vera Martirosyan

YEREVAN.- NEWS.am Sport interviewed head coach of Armenian national football team Vardan Minasyan.

How has your year of 2012 been?

This year was good. The main thing is that my family is healthy. In this respect, the year was a success. As to work, our expectations were not met. Although, I have repeatedly said there were objective and subjective reasons. Given the results of the past two years, expectations were high.

In the beginning of 2012 Armenia was at the top of its success. We climbed to 41st spot in FIFA ranking. What is the reason that the team was unable to preserve its positions?

I not think it was the peak. We will have big achievement. There is no particular reason: injuries and bans, also other teams prepared seriously for playing against us. We should not blame anyone but demand more from ourselves. It’s in our hands.

The greatest discovery of the year, whether it is an event, or a football player.

I have always been interested in the Italian team. I went to the European Championships and watched three matches. For me it was very interesting. For me, Italy is one of the most tactically flexible teams. The most negative experience was a match against Bulgaria.

I was pleased to see the progress of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Aras Ozbiliz has found his game and is becoming one of the leaders of our team. I am also pleased to see a breakthrough of Kamo Hovhannisyan. The most important thing is that, despite the difficulties, our team remains united.

They say the main goal is not entering the final stage of the World Cup but building a team for the future. What is your primary goal for 2013?

All the teams in our group, except for Malta, are trying to get to the World Cup. To achieve this, we must have desire to win every match. By the time of the next official game, we have three friendlies. I hope next year will be more successful for us. I always say that a good game is not the key to success. Apart from playing, there are other points affecting the result. In this respect, this year was not very successful. But I still think that everything depends on us.

A February 5 match is against Luxembourg. Many people wonder: why Luxembourg? Was it impossible to arrange a match with a stronger team?

Let me explain. Except Luxembourg in March, we are going to play with the national team of Turkmenistan. This match will take place a few days before the match against the Czech Republic. And clearly, it was not worth playing against a strong team. As for Luxembourg, this match will be held on February 5, and we will carry out an experiment to involve new players.

New players are Guevgeozián, Markosov and Khachaturov. Who else will join the team?

It is possible that a few players playing in the top league of Armenia will be invited. There are also players who perform abroad, but let’s not disclose names.

In November you said Guevgeozián and Markosov will be invited to the national team. About 20 days ago I talked to both of them. Mauro said that he had not been contacted yet. Markosov had been contacted but had received no formal invitation.

Let me explain the mechanism of the national team. A representative of the federation called the two players, and they gave their consent. Perhaps it was after your conversation with them. The next step is a formal invitation.

Do you have principles that you can not change?

I have principles, but not in the case when it is about the Armenian team. I always say that the team should have patriotic, strong players. Team is not my property. There is no room for principles.

Which goalkeepers will join the team for February matches?

If we have two matches, we will invite four goalkeepers. In total, 28 players will join the team. Arsen Beglaryan will probably join other goalkeepers.

Comparing to previous years, we can say that now Armenia has many media outlets covering sport events. There were only two newspapers a couple of years ago, but now there are many websites, programs, newspapers. Are you satisfied with the level of sports journalism in Armenia?

You are right, the number of sports publications has increased, but ... For example, I really want the journalists to ask questions that make coaches think. Whether it's a question concerning the tactics or other areas, not the question like: “Why hasn’t this player been invited to the national team?” There are journalists who ask this question only. There are a few journalists whose questions are interesting.

Are you open toward the media?

If the question is about sports, I am always ready to answer. But you must first of all apply to the press service of the federation. But I am not interested in television and magazines.

Whose style of work is a model for you?

I never copied anyone’s style. My style has turned itself. Since 2003, I have been working with different coaches and learning something from each of them. I learned much from Samvel Darbinyan and Ian Porterfield.

If there were an opportunity to work with one of the famous coaches, who would you choose?

Now we have the opportunity. In February we will go to Italy to observe the trainings of the two clubs playing in Serie A. But this is not my choice. If I had to pick, I’d like to watch Arsene Wenger’s trainings. I would like to visit two clubs: Barcelona and Arsenal. We are working to make it happen.

In 2009, when you started coaching Armenia, it was not a good period, to put it mildly. After a home defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina the stadium shouted “Minasyan, go away.” How did you manage to overcome this difficult period?

It was a very bad period. I was pressed much. I do not know how it happened, but I behaved very calmly. The reason probably is that I realized that every coach can occur in a similar situation.  This is a part of our work. Now I take the things more calmly.

What may contribute to a good atmosphere in the team?

Most of the guys have been playing together since childhood. Many of them are united around one idea. The main thing is that player could feel at ease while playing in the team. In this case, he will be able to realize his full potential.

Must a coach be a friend or a commander for the player?

There is player-coach relationship, not friendship. I prefer to talk and explain. Each of them needs an individual approach, as they are all unique.

Ahead of trainings many coaches forbid their players to see their wives, to use social networks. Is there anything prohibited for your players?

Several years ago we had problems about press contacts. Any reporter could call our player and ask for an interview. I think that is wrong. There is a press service of the Federation. At the moment, the problem is solved somehow.

They say none of us is irreplaceable. Are there any irreplaceable players in our team?

Each is irreplaceable in his position. Now we have too many injuries.

What about the names (of those who are irreplaceable)?

You want me to name Henrikh, Karlen and Berezovsky? (Laughing)

Are you superstitious?

No, I’m faithful. Of course, you must do your utmost not to blame yourself afterwards.

People are divided into two groups. Some say each person is an architect of his own happiness, the others - that everything is predetermined.

You need to keep a balance between these two ideas. You have to do everything possible, but there is also the “fate factor.” Especially in football, it does not depend on you only. It’s a team effort. Often I am asked what I am dreaming about. Dreaming is senseless, we must work and work again. If it works, then it was yours.

Do you like the New Year?

Yes, but my favorite holiday is Easter.

Does your family have a special Christmas tradition?

No, we celebrate like others, giving gifts to each other. I wish I could always celebrate the New Year with my family.

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