Alashkert director: We have dedicated people working for us who want to take the club to new level

By Lusine Shahbazyan

The Armenian Premier League is underrated by European scouts. I expect to see quality football and interesting competition in the new season. I would like the league to not have prominent last-place clubs. This was stated by the general director of the Alashkert football club of Armenia, Aleksey Baliberdin, in an interview with NEWS.am Sport.

About a month ago, Alashkert announced that from now on the club has a new co-owner—billionaire businessman Anton Zingarevich. After the announcement, the Van club's players and coaching staff moved to Alashkert. The team was replenished with new players. In the new season of the Armenian Premier League, the club will play with a new squad and a new head coach. In the first round of the Armenian Premier League, Alashkert will face Yerevan's Pyunik in Armavir city on Monday.

Mr. Baliberdin, congratulations on starting your cooperation with the Armenian football club. Who was the initiator or adviser of Your joining the Armenian club Alashkert?

Thank you very much! Honestly, I’m really glad to be here. I’ve had a long-standing friendship and professional connection with Tigran Mkrtchyan, who is now the Vice President of the club. When he invited me to join the project, I didn’t think twice. You know, sometimes there are offers you immediately say yes to because you feel the potential and believe in the people behind it. That’s exactly what happened this time.

You are now heading a club that had a long history in Armenian football. What did you know about Alashkert before joining it?

My football career was always connected with Armenia. I knew that Alashkert is a club with history, titles, medals, and European competitions. Moreover, people I know have worked here at different times, including our current coach Vahe Gevorgyan. So it wasn’t just “a club from a poster” - it was a familiar name that I’ve respected.

Last season this same team of players and the coaching staff worked in FC Van. What made You transfer to  Alashkert?  What events affected you choice?

I personally didn’t work at Van - I spent the last few years in Bulgaria, at Botev Plovdiv. But by the time I received Tigran’s offer, it was already clear that the project started at Van was moving to Alashkert. And moving with new ambitions and goals - both on and off the pitch. That’s what hooked me. As for the process itself… honestly, it was a mountain of paperwork, hundreds of calls, a lot of time and nerves. But the main thing is that in the end, it worked out, and we got everything on track.

What changes underwent Alashkert  following the change in management?

It’s easier to say what hasn’t changed. A new team of people - from coaches to managers. The club’s structure has been rebuilt from scratch. New communication, rules, and protocols. Even the squad on the field is completely new. We relaunched social media, the website, started working with new sponsors. And we did thousands of little things that aren’t visible from the outside but are crucial for the club to move forward. Now this is the foundation on which we’ll keep building higher and higher

Are you satisfied with the work that was carried out by the club’s previous owners and management?

Yes. Alashkert is a club with championship titles, cups, and European competition experience. All of that is in its history, and you can’t erase it. Yes, last season was worse, but the medals didn’t disappear. Our task isn’t to argue with the past but to add new pages to it.

What did you emphasize? Please tell us in more detail about the changes that have taken place in the club.

The focus was on everything. From the smallest details to big decisions. It’s both a challenge and a great pleasure. We signed a contract with our new technical sponsor, Jogel - we’re very happy with the terms and the partnership. We slightly updated the logo - we wanted to show a new chapter in the club’s history while keeping the connection with its past. For us, the brand is more than just a picture: it’s the feeling that Alashkert is a modern, professional, and open club. That’s why we relaunched social media, started podcasts, and are preparing new projects. We want fans and partners to see that there are people here who know exactly what they’re doing.

What principles or policies will the new Alashkert begin the season with?

On the pitch - fast, aggressive, energetic football. Off the pitch - professionalism and sincerity. We have a team of people who really work hard, and we all want to take the club to a new level. Mistakes? Of course, there will be some. But we’ll fix them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.

How can the club surprise the fans?

I really hope only with good things. I want our fans to be surprised - and proud of that surprise.

What playing strategies will we see on the pitch? How many players have been invited to join the team, and what can you tell us about them?

This is a new team. Vahe Gevorgyan is building a high-intensity style of football - we can’t wait to see it in official matches. Yes, many players came over from Van, but there are also new names. For example, Edgar Piloyan returned from Bulgaria, Juan Campos came from Venezuela, and forward Yahya Buhari arrived from Nigeria. We also completed the transfer of Ifeanyi Nduka from FC Krasnodar. Plus, we brought in several other promising players. It’s a good mix of experience and fresh energy

The team’s head coach, Vage Gevorgyan, is known to be an ambitious and demanding specialist. What are your expectations of him? What did he attract you with?

Vahe worked with Tigran Mkrtchyan at Van, and it was Tigran’s decision to bring him here. But I’m glad it’s Vahe - our head coach. I like his football - it’s about intensity and hard work. Vahe is a true professional. Even if the choice were mine, I would have picked him too.

What is your opinion about Armenian football? Do you follow the performances of the clubs and the national team? What do you think of the Armenian national team?

I see progress. I see good teams, good local players, foreign players, and coaches. In my opinion, the Armenian league is underestimated by European scouts. Of course, there’s room to grow - especially in terms of facilities. Sometimes I encounter strange things - I won’t go into details, but there are some things to improve. I used to follow the national team less, but now I’ll do it more. I was very surprised that Karen Nalbandyan, the best player of the 2024/2025 season, wasn’t called up to the national team

How is your cooperation with the Football Federation of Armenia going on? How would you assess the work of the Federation and its president Armen Melikbekyan?

So far, everything has been absolutely fine. In a month and a half, there have been no issues - professional working relations. I’m sure during the season we’ll discuss various initiatives. It’s too early to give evaluations - I need more than a month of work here.

The Armenian Premier League has already started. What are your expectations for the new season? Which teams do you consider your main competitors?

I want to see quality football and real competition. I want Armenian clubs to progress further in European competitions. As for competitors? Noah is a strong team, Ararat-Armenia impressed in preseason and in Europe, Pyunik will also fight for medals, and Urartu will try to keep their positions. I also really hope there won’t be any clear outsiders in the league. And I’m sure Gandzasar shouldn’t be underestimated - I don’t think they’ll be an easy opponent this season.

What are the goals set for Alashkert, the head coach, and your entire team?

The main goal is to be professionals in everything. On the field, in the office, in business. We move step by step - from game to game, from idea to idea. We solve problems and immediately look toward new challenges. We make mistakes, analyze them, and move forward. The key is consistent progress in all areas.