Serhii Popov: Petrakov’s main principle is that there must be no indifference on the football pitch

An experienced specialist has joined the coaching staff of Kryvyi Rih’s Kryvbas: Serhii Popov has become an assistant to the team’s head coach, Oleksandr Petrakov. The two have a long history of working together, and now they will collaborate once again to help the "Red-and-Whites" achieve their goals.

- Serhii Oleksandrovych, welcome to Kryvbas! You joined Oleksandr Petrakov’s coaching staff and headed to Kryvyi Rih almost immediately. How did this reunion with Oleksandr Vasylovych come about, and why did you accept the offer?

- Thank you for the welcome. It all happened very simply. Oleksandr Vasylovych and I have known each other for a long time, dating back to our work together within the national team setup at the UAF (Ukrainian Association of Football). He called and asked if I was ready to work in the Premier League. I answered without hesitation. Then he said, "There’s an offer from Kryvbas; I want you to be my assistant." I agreed. It only took a short while to sort out all the details with Dynamo Kyiv.

- You spent the last few months working within the Dynamo Kyiv setup, specifically with young players. Which part of that experience do you consider the most valuable?

- I spent a very short time at Dynamo - only about three months - so it was just a brief chapter in my career. However, I am very grateful to the Kyiv club; when I found myself without a job, they reached out and brought me on board. Everything was excellent and professional, but the opportunity to work with Oleksandr Vasylovych again in the Premier League outweighed all other options.

- You know Oleksandr Petrakov and his requirements very well. What are his main coaching principles?

- As for his principles - there can be absolutely no indifference on the football pitch. That is the key rule. As for exactly how I can complement him, it would be better to ask the head coach himself.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih