Valerii Fedorchuk: I was ready for a new stage, and it has come. I will say frankly, I am very happy to return to Kryvbas
The coach of Kryvyi Rih "Kryvbas" Valerii Fedorchuk gave his first interview after appointment.
- Valerii Yuriiovich, congratulations on your return to the red-and-white family of FC Kryvbas. What emotions do you feel, finding yourself back in the Club after so many years, but already in the role of a coach?
- Thank you. First of all, the emotions are, of course, very positive. For me, Kryvyi Rih is practically home, because Kryvbas was my first professional team as a football player. It was here that I had a very good stage of my career, many warm memories of the team, the people, and the atmosphere.
Now I am returning in a different role - as a coach, as part of the coaching staff. This is a new stage, a certain rebirth. I am 37 years old, and it is symbolic that it was under the number 37 that I played in Kryvbas. Such coincidences only motivate me to work even harder so that the Club becomes stronger and the players progress.
- Have you already met and communicated with head coach Patrick van Leeuwen? Do you like his coaching philosophy?
- Yes, we have already had a video meeting with Patrick van Leeuwen and the Club's CEO Volodymyr Baienko. We talked, discussed the main points and agreed on my role in the coaching staff. We will discuss all the nuances in more detail during the training sessions and personal work with the team.
As for the philosophy, I like it. Patrick van Leeuwen is a very experienced coach who has been working in Ukraine for a long time. I like the balance between discipline in defense and freedom to improvise in attack. Kryvbas is trying to play attacking football, and this is evident both in the style of play and in the results in the tournament table.
- What role will you play in Patrick van Leeuwen's coaching staff and what areas will you be primarily responsible for?
- The final division of responsibilities will be determined by the head coach after a personal meeting. But first, it is about communication with Ukrainian players, individual and tactical work, in particular with midfield players, as well as work with young players. These are the areas where I can be most useful.
- Please share your vision of the coaching process and key areas of the team's development in the near future.
- So far, everything has happened very quickly, so I still need to delve into the work of the coaching staff in more detail, talk to the management and fully understand the philosophy of the Club. I would not like to say anything now without having a full understanding of the whole picture.
But it is already clear that the Club is betting on a combination of foreign players and the development of Ukrainian players, in particular those from the Academy. The team is at the top of the standings, and in professional football, the result remains a key indicator. Kryvbas is moving in the right direction, and this is confirmed by the game.
- Do you feel additional responsibility, returning to Kryvbas as a coach, not a player?
- Absolutely. A football player and a coach are completely different roles. Now you are responsible not only for yourself, but for the development of the players. My task is to pass on all the experience that I have gained over almost 20 years in professional football, to help the players become stronger. It is very important for me that every player on our team progresses. When the players grow, the Club also grows, and the result on the field becomes the logical conclusion of this work.
- What personal coaching goals do you set for yourself in your new position at Kryvbas?
- I recently finished my playing career and clearly understood that I want to stay in football. I was sure that in the future I would be a coach, but any path needs to start somewhere. Starting at Kryvbas is a great trust and a serious chance. It all depends on my work, dedication to the Kuban and desire to develop. I have always been demanding of myself as a player and I will remain the same as a coach - demanding of the result and of the players.
- How important is the support of the Kryvyi Rih fans to you and what would you like to say to them at the start of this stage?
- The support of the fans has always been very important to me. I have had a special relationship with the fans of Kryvyi Rih since the time I was a player. Even when I played for other clubs, I felt this support. I want to wish the fans to remain as demanding, because it means that they care. And our task is to give one hundred percent on the field and at work. When there is dedication, the fans always appreciate it, even in difficult moments.
- What memories do you have of your time playing for Kryvyi Rih as a player?
- Very warm. I defended the colors of this Club for three years, and they were great matches, a strong team, a wonderful atmosphere. I'm waiting for the moment when I will come to the city again, go to training - it causes special emotions. But that's history, and now I want to have even more bright memories in the future.
- Could you ever think that you would return to Kryvyi Rih as a coach?
- I admit, I didn't think about it, but I always understood that football is about constant changes. I was ready for a new stage, and it has come. I will say frankly, I am very happy to be here again.
Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih