“Helping the team survive is also an ambitious task”: Boyarintsev on the motives of Slutsky joining Rubin and Sharonov’s resignation

“I don’t think that Slutsky’s image could be badly damaged”

- Rubin ”announced the resignation of Roman Sharonov. The correct decision of the leadership?

- At the start of the season, he spent a very good and informative segment. But the team did not have the depth of the squad, injuries and cards started. There was no leader who would lead in a difficult moment. But, in my opinion, Sharonov showed himself well on the coaching bridge in this difficult period. It’s hard for me to predict whether the new head coach wants to see him at his headquarters, but I’m one hundred percent sure that Roman will still remain in the club’s system. He deserved it.

“Don't you think that Sharonov was originally a temporary figure in Ruby?”

- Not. If there were successes, Sharonov would continue to work. But such is the coaching share - any novice specialist becomes her hostage. No one will look at the fact that you have little experience when you need a result. Club management can either provide carte blanche or not. Apparently, the Rubin decided to invite a more experienced specialist.

- Do you think the club hurried up?

- It's a pity, because in the offseason it would be time to work with the team, to understaff it. Sharonov did a lot for Rubin as a footballer. I am glad that he was trusted and as a mentor. I have no doubt that he will make a great coach.

- How serious is Rubin?

- In my opinion, there is no crisis in Rubin as such. At the start, Kazan showed that they can play and give results. The upcoming pause will only benefit them. You need to relax, comprehend everything and in the spring to join in the fight against full dedication in order to maintain residence in the RPL. There are prerequisites for this.

- According to media reports, Rubin should be headed by Leonid Slutsky. The mentor left CSKA at the end of 2016, after which he worked exclusively abroad. Will he be able to adapt to new realities in the RPL?

- I do not think that the Russian championship has changed so much over the years. Football is one, coaching vision is needed everywhere, and Slutsky is a very experienced specialist. Let's see if he succeeds in achieving success at Rubin, where the situation is not so simple now. In addition, much depends on the performers. If Slutsky will have the opportunity to strengthen the necessary positions, he will succeed.

- Why would Slutsky himself agree to work in the Kazan club?

- For Slutsky this is to some extent a challenge. Yes, we are used to seeing this specialist in more famous teams fighting for medals and high places. Here is a struggle for survival. So, you need to work not only on the sports component, but also on psychology. Helping the team survive is also an ambitious task. As one of the experts from UEFA headquarters told me, each coach has his own Mont Blanc.

- Maybe, after many years of work, Slutsky still should take a break and rethink everything?

- Depends on a person. Indeed, some prefer to take a break after a difficult season. But if there is an opportunity to work, it is better to use the chance. Like football players, coaches also have a tone. You cannot fall out of it.

- Do you think that Kazan’s proposal attracted a specialist so much?

- It seems to me that there were other proposals besides Rubin, but Slutsky would hardly be interested in working in the FNL, for example.

- What would you do in this case?

- If there is a chance to work at a high level, you need to deny yourself a vacation. You always have time to relax.

- In case of failure at Rubin, Slutsky may be labeled as a coach who cannot succeed anywhere except CSKA. Is the risk too great?

- I do not think that the image of Slutsky can be badly affected. He is an expert with a name. He himself understands that the coaching profession is associated with risk. Better go for it.

- Given the arrival of such an eminent specialist as Slutsky, is it possible to attract additional funding to the team?

- Hard to say. He may come up with some ideas for his picking, or he may take up work with the existing staff and make a result.

- The stadium in Kazan does not gather so many fans. Could the situation improve with the appearance of a coach like Slutsky in the club?

- Even during my performances, local fans preferred hockey. Perhaps only in the debut season in the Premier League, as well as in the champion years, Rubin could compete with Ak Bars in popularity. In my opinion, no matter what coach comes, hockey will still be in leading roles in Kazan.

- How did you come to terms with this?

- I've never been jealous of this, I love hockey myself. We were friends with Ak Bars players. In my opinion, people will go to the stadium if the players win. Fans need a sight, and exceptionally Kurban Berdyev managed to achieve great successes over all these years.

- In an interview, Slutsky said that he would never head Spartak. How fans of the army will perceive his appearance in another Russian team?

- I think that CSKA fans will normally accept Slutsky’s arrival at Rubin. Everyone should understand that any person wants to realize himself in the profession, and also must take care of loved ones and feed his family. Of course, he will work as a coach. He cannot go to become a steelworker.

- Can you call the successful period of Slutsky’s work in Europe?

- For any specialist to work in a foreign club is a great success. Few have got this opportunity, and even more so - achieved success. We are not very in demand abroad. But Slutsky had a cool experience: he trained in the Netherlands and in England, had a chance to work in countries with a completely different mentality, to see how academies and children's schools are organized there. I think he learned a lot from there.

- Slutsky admitted that he did not see his future in Holland due to a different approach to the game, noting that it is basically impossible for foreigners to work there. Is there anything specific in Kazan - something that is also difficult to get used to and adapt to?

- I would not say. Moreover, when I played for Rubin, there were no problems at all. The leaders of the region came to the matches - Kamil Iskhakov, Mintimer Shaimiev. I don’t know, maybe something has changed in recent years, but I remember Kazan only from the good side.

- What exactly?

- The management has always supported us, the players were told that they just have to do their job, and others will think about everything else for them. We all worked for the result - the team had important prospects, it was always ambitious. As a result, she won the Champions League. And now, it seems to me, Rubin just has temporary difficulties. It happens to everyone.