2024-06-25 16:30:47
Lately, the UEFA Growth Match, which is being held in Armenia for the primary time, is going down in Yerevan. Dejan Stankovic, the world soccer star of the 90s and 2000s, can be among the many observers from UEFA. In an interview with the official FFA web site, Stankovic spoke in regards to the Growth Match, Armenia’s infrastructure and Armenian soccer.
– Dejan, What place do you maintain in UEFA?
– Since March 1 of this yr, I’ve been a soccer participant growth guide at UEFA. My duty is especially to observe the U14, U15, U16 tournaments and academy applications.
– How tough was it to get a job at UEFA after ending your soccer profession?
– It was very tough. We name this recreation soccer, however being a soccer participant is one factor, working in soccer is kind of one other. I’m very younger and I wish to study. For me, working at UEFA is a good alternative and a terrific pleasure. In Serbia, I used to be supplied to grow to be the president of the Serbian Soccer Federation, the president of “Crvena Zvezda”, even the president of the Serbian Olympic Committee, however I refused as a result of, in my view, I’m too younger to carry these positions. I wish to achieve expertise in UEFA, which is the most effective place for an ex-footballer who needs to study. I wish to go step-by-step.
– Did not you wish to grow to be a coach?
– I attempted my hand at teaching once I was serving to Andrea Stramaccioni at Udinese, however I noticed that teaching wasn’t for me. Maybe I’m not certified to be a coach. Teaching may be very demanding and requires 24 hours of labor. I am not prepared for that but.
– What’s the goal of the go to to Armenia?
– We got here right here to observe the UEFA Growth Match. UEFA is doing an important job for kids by holding such tournaments in small international locations like Armenia, Georgia, FYR Macedonia. These tournaments are crucial when it comes to deciding on gamers, enhancing the extent of coaches and figuring out abilities. We attempt to assist all small associations.
– What do you concentrate on soccer infrastructure in Armenia?
– I actually appreciated your coaching heart (FFA Technical Middle/Soccer Academy-ed.), which has glorious pitches with pure and synthetic grass. You will have every part to realize good outcomes. All you need to do is figure onerous.
– You as soon as performed in opposition to the Armenian nationwide staff in Yerevan. What impressed you probably the most?
– I haven’t got superb reminiscences, as a result of in that recreation we misplaced our final probability to qualify for Euro-2008 (the match in Yerevan ended 0:0). However what impressed me probably the most was the extraordinarily poor high quality of the pitch. To your credit score, now, 10 years later, I see super progress in that regard.
– Have you ever had an opportunity to observe the matches of the Armenian nationwide staff?
– Sure, I watched a number of matches when Armenia was in the identical group with the Serbian nationwide staff. I additionally watched the match in opposition to Montenegro not too long ago and I need to say that I used to be very impressed with the efficiency of your staff within the second half. It was unbelievable, a really spectacular recreation. It is best to at all times play like that.
– What do small international locations like Armenia have to qualify for main tournaments?
– I’ll repeat as soon as extra: work, work and work once more. I do not know the coverage of the Soccer Federation of Armenia, however you need to work systematically. In different phrases, one ought to introduce a coverage in youth soccer and cling to it on the grownup stage as nicely.