Marios Alexandris: We are building a very powerful team at FA "Kryvbas", which will consist of both European and Ukrainian specialists

EXCLUSIVE from the director of the "Kryvbas" Football Academy, the Greek specialist Marios Alexandris in the framework of the traditional column from the official sponsor of the FAVBET Club.

- Marios, the other day you returned from Rotterdam, where you represented our Club and FA "Kryvbas" among many of the best Academies in the world at the Summit of Academies of the European Football Association. Tell us more about the event.

- We were the only representatives from Ukraine. It is important not to stop at one level and not to sit in the city. We must travel abroad, be in the flow of events and gather new information for ourselves and cooperate with the best clubs. I believe that in the foreseeable future we will become one of the top clubs. Regarding the Summit, we were invited by one of the best Academies in Europe. This is the Feyenoord Academy in Rotterdam, which produces an incredible number of great players in the first teams.

It is valuable to see from the inside how their work processes go. We discussed new methodologies, renovations, data analysis, periodization in the training cycle. All this was very meaningful, and we learned a lot of new things, interacted a lot together, which is extremely important for us, for our development.

- The summit was attended by representatives of Milan, PSV, Atalanta, Athletics, and other well-known European clubs. What contacts did you manage to establish at the event? Maybe there are already certain agreements?

- Such events help to get to know people from various top clubs in Europe. Our job is not to keep secret what we are working on, so I can say that many contacts have been established, which is very valuable for the Club and our young players in the future. As I said before, this is part of our strategy that will lead to immediate progress. Such events will help our Club internationally.

In the near future, we will work on the offers we receive, which are international tournaments in Europe. I believe that it is extremely important for our players, namely, to open new horizons for themselves, to compete with the best European opponents. So, we are working in this direction, and I hope we will receive good news regarding participation in such tournaments.

- Let's talk about our Academy. You have been its head for more than a month, how do you generally assess the level? 

- First of all, I want to say that I am happy to be here and to work with all of you. It was a very interesting period of time, because we analyzed a lot, found ways to improve various work processes, started working on our strategy and next steps. This is a long process, because the Football Academy is not about an instant result, it is like growing a plant; you need a certain amount of time for this, patience and only under these conditions in the end you will be able to get the fruits. We can also see that the number of children in the Academy has increased significantly recently, which cannot help but please.

- Marios, we know, but the audience would be interested to hear a few words from you about your team. After all, you did not come to Kryvyi Rih alone, and are there plans to involve additional specialists? 

- Yes, we are building a very powerful team, which will consist of both European and Ukrainian specialists. In the near future, our audience will learn about everything, we will introduce new faces. In more detail: this is the new technical director of the Academy, additions to the goalkeeper department, a methodology specialist and fitness trainers. Over time, more and more new specialists will appear in our team.

- By the way, about the language barrier. Does it create any difficulties at work?

- There is such a thing. You can say that every day is like a challenge for me. I am really grateful that I always have a translator by my side who helps in easy communication with others. Gradually, step by step, I will be able to learn the Ukrainian language, this is in my plans. Therefore, later, I am sure, I will easily interact with people and understand everything. In addition, an important point is that I constantly have communication with parents and our young players of the Academy. For me, this component is very important in the working process of the Club. Therefore, such communication will only grow.

- We are sure that you have already managed to get used to Kryvyi Rih, so this is a somewhat banal question, but we are really interested in your opinion: how do you like the city, how do you like the people? 

- Kryvyi Rih is a very beautiful city, with open and kind people. I found my favorite places and establishments where you can sit comfortably, eat delicious food and generally have a good time, although it is not so much.

I certainly admire your courage. Despite the fact that many parents of children are at the front, or even died defending Ukraine, people still continue to fight and live. I am proud to have the opportunity to interact with such people every day.

It is very important now for all children to somehow distract themselves from all the horror that surrounds them, to be involved in sports, to play football every day. They have the opportunity to develop at the "Kryvbas" Football Academy. I believe that this is the only way to help children to bear everything that is happening more easily.

- Finally, I would like to thank you on behalf of the media department, because the number of interesting initiatives has increased with your arrival. This includes awards for the best goals, football players' visits to children for training and vice versa. A separate TikTok of the academy has appeared. The children who live in the "Bratislava" hotel are active in the social life of the neighborhood: exercise, talk... Will there be any surprises?

- We work every week so that you get more surprises, and of course they will. We work closely with all departments, especially with the media, whom we also want to thank for their cooperation and what they implement every day for the Academy, children and parents. It is extremely important to have such a connection with everyone. Football clubs, Academies are not just football structures.

We have to be something more, to be immersed in every process of our community. Therefore, there will be new surprises in the future, wait for them. By the way, one of them will take place this Monday. At the home game of "Kryvbas" with "Rukh" football players will be brought onto the field by the young players of the Academy. This is a common world practice, but for some reason we have not used it before. I hope everyone will get good positive emotions.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih