"The club plays all-in, like in poker": Yaroshik on the appointment of Olic as the head coach of CSKA, Chalov's decline and failures in Europe

CSKA fans associate the golden era of the club in the early-mid 2000s with the names of Ivica Olic and Jiri Jaroshik.

Cech at one time became the most expensive footballer in the history of the army and helped them in 2003 to win the Russian championship for the first time, and in 2005 he moved to Chelsea.

In turn, the Croat managed to win with the team not only all possible domestic trophies, but also the UEFA Cup.

Subsequently, they both became coaches.

Now Olic has returned to Russia to accept an unexpected challenge and lead CSKA.

Jaroshik started small and works in the humble Slovenian “Celje”.

In an interview with RT, Jiri recalled his army past, wished his colleague good luck and suggested how his work would turn out.

"The decision of the club surprised, because Olic has no coaching experience"

- Were you surprised when you learned about Olic's appointment as head coach of CSKA?

- First, I want to say that I am very happy for Ivica and will support him.

But the decision of the club surprised, because Olic has no coaching experience.

CSKA has always acted in cold blood - it is strange that at such an important moment a specialist was hired on the team, who had never worked in chief before.

But I repeat, Ivica and I will forever remain friends, and I will wish him only happiness and good luck.

- Have you personally congratulated Olic on his appointment as head coach of CSKA?

- I confess, we did not communicate with him for a long time.

But a couple of months ago I wanted to consult with Ivica about one player for Celje, we phoned and talked about football for a long time.

And after some time he headed CSKA, and I congratulated him.

- The contract between CSKA and Olic is for one year.

Why, in your opinion, the club signed an agreement with a specialist only for such a short period of time?

- Interest Ask.

I don't know, maybe CSKA is going all-in, like in poker.

I watched the CSKA match with Zenit, and it seemed to me that the problem was not only in the coach.

From the outside there is a feeling that the team lacks masters.

Previously, when new players came to CSKA, they immediately gave results.

Now it is not always possible to bring a suitable player under the requirements of the red and blue.

- Is it possible to fundamentally change the team in the year prescribed by Olic in the contract?

- It seems to me that he has little time.

But let's see what budget CSKA will have for summer transfers, who will join the team and where the army team will finish the championship.

The future raises many questions.

Now, before the end of the season, you need to concentrate on the result and try to take the highest place in the RPL, fight for getting into the Champions League.

At the same time, it is necessary to understand that if the club wants to play in the main European Cup, three or four players will be required who will be able to help here and now.

The way CSKA has played in Europe in recent years is worthless.

- How can you explain that the CSKA management made a choice in favor of Olic, and not the same Vasily Berezutsky?

Could this be related to the fact that the Croat has experience working with European coaches in the Bundesliga?

- If you want to win only in Russia, that's one thing.

And if you dream of playing in Europe and looking worthy there, that's different.

In this case, it is required to show European football.

There is no other way.

I like it when people go through this school and then put on a slightly different game.

- It turns out that it was no coincidence that Iliya Arachich, who worked at German Stuttgart, entered Olic's headquarters?

- I must admit that I didn’t like the German championship very much.

There was a lot of struggle, but the football itself was not very spectacular.

However, now the Bundesliga in this regard is not inferior to Example.

All teams play low, come out of defense with a short pass.

But in Germany people work a lot.

It is very important.

There is a lot of competition, and if you don't want to train and play, you will be immediately replaced.

Therefore, local players have enough motivation, they love football.

"It was fun when Olic wanted to say something in theory, but no one could understand him."

- If you receive an offer from Olic to enter his headquarters, will you agree?

- It would be very nice, but he has enough friends in the world of football.

I think Ivica will gather his team.

And if he called me, he would answer: "Thank you, but I have my own way."

I would advise him to take Rakhimich to his headquarters.

Elvir is a true CSKA legend.

He has been living in the country for a long time and knows Russian football very well.

- When you played with the Croat in CSKA, did you notice the inclinations of a coach?

- At 25, you think exclusively like a football player, and no one looks so far ahead.

But at 30 you start to perceive the world differently, because you have a family, and your career is coming to an end.

In those years, I could not imagine that Olic, Dmitry Kirichenko, Elvir Rakhimich and Sergey Semak would become coaches.

If I had met them later, perhaps I would have made such a prediction.

In any case, it would be clear who behaves how and what he wants.

On the other hand, we all loved football before.

For us, he was in the first place.

Therefore, it could be assumed that even after hanging the boots on a nail, everyone will remain in this sport: one will take the post of a leader, the other - a coach, the third - a manager.

But it was difficult to imagine that everyone would undertake to train.

- Can we say that Valery Gazzaev influenced each of you?

- I can only say good words about Valery Georgievich.

There were, of course, not the most pleasant situations and painful defeats.

Still, there were many more advantages.

We won many trophies, played with burning eyes, loved football and delighted the fans.

And they took from each other both good and bad, and all this was useful to us in the future.

- Can you remember some bright moment in your communication with Olic during your joint performances?

- A lot of time has passed since then ... Of course, foreigners always communicate with each other more than with Russians.

But then we had a particularly friendly team.

Rakhimich became, one might say, Olic's mentor and his translator.

Ivica himself wanted to establish contact with everyone, as he was a very sociable person, but did not know the language well.

It was fun when he wanted to say something in theory, but no one could understand him.

Only I grasped the essence and tried to translate.

We laughed a lot.

But I have always respected Ivica, because I saw how he tries, plays and loves football.

I like these people and players.

It was a pleasure to work with him.

“The main thing is not to repeat Lampard's story at Chelsea

- CSKA fans put up a banner in honor of Olic before the match against Tambov.

Is the increased attention able to have a negative impact on the coach and interfere with his work?

- Probably not.

We are people who have seen a lot in football.

The main thing is not to repeat the story of Frank Lampard at Chelsea.

He was also a legend at the club and the fans loved him.

But, you see, how it all ended ... In this regard, I am a little worried about my friend.

It is difficult to achieve something with such expectations.

It's not easy to come in and start winning right away.

After all, I myself work as a coach and I see how many problems people in our profession have, how many things need to be solved.

The job of a coach is not only about playing and training.

- There was a feeling that in the meeting with "Tambov" Nikola Vlasic acted with special zeal.

The fact that his compatriots came to CSKA can influence Nikola's decision to stay in Moscow for another season?

- This will not only help keep him, but also make Nikola stronger as a footballer.

However, you need to understand: if a club appears that is ready to give a lot of money for Vlasic, CSKA will let him go.

- Is Fyodor Chalov able to add under Olich, given that Ivica himself was a high-class striker?

- Chalov is still a young footballer, but in CSKA no one will wait until he plays at the same level again.

The fall can last for several months, but not for years.

Fedor can be helped by the arrival of a new coach, who will look at him with different eyes and believe.

On the other hand, Olic can bring a football player who will be more suitable for his requirements.

Again, in such a large team as CSKA, no one will wait six months or a year if you score a little.

Another person will just come.

At the moment, a serious problem for the army team is precisely the absence of a striker who is ready to take responsibility, create chances and score decisive goals.

- Kristiyan Bistrovich went on loan to Kasimpasha in winter.

Can a compatriot come to the post of head coach of CSKA Moscow to positively influence his career in Russia?

- It's good that Bistrovich went to Turkey.

He did not give up, but moved to another team to prove that he is a strong footballer.

I like this attitude.

It happens that a coach or management does not see a person at the core, but another specialist can always come who will believe in him.

I think Kristian is a good footballer and has a strong character.

It is possible that CSKA will return him in the summer.

- Two Croatian specialists entered Olic's headquarters.

Should we expect that during the summer transfer window other players from this country will also come to Moscow, for example, from Dynamo Zagreb?

- This is very

a good team, perhaps the strongest in the countries of the former Yugoslavia.

There are many interesting players there who can safely play in Russia, including for CSKA.

Moreover, there have always been many Balkan performers in your championship.

But you need to look at what the transfer budget of CSKA will be.

And it is important that Ivica knows the players personally.

If a football player is talented, that's good, but he must also have a certain character, have a desire to progress and develop.

Olic needs to bring people to Moscow who will help him give results.

At the same time, it is necessary to understand that not all football players who look good in Croatia are capable of shooting in Russia.

There are different expectations and a different degree of pressure.

- In the game against Tambov, the main central defender of CSKA, Herdur Magnusson, was seriously injured.

What should Olic do with the line of defense?

- Now there is a fight for medals.

Therefore, it is a pity that such an important player has dropped out.

I think the Berezutsky brothers know the team well and should tell Ivica who to replace Magnusson with.

Moreover, they themselves played on the defensive.

CSKA must have players who can close this zone and create an opportunity for rotation.

On the other hand, it may turn out that the army team without Kherdur will start playing in defense better than with him, since they will have to learn how to defend with the whole team.

- What is your forecast: will Olic cope with the job if he has no experience?

- I'd like to say yes, because Ivica is my friend and I wish him all the best.

But I know firsthand that many problems arise even in a small team.

And in top clubs like CSKA there are even more of them.

Olic has always been a diligent footballer, I think his attitude to business has not changed even on the coaching bridge.

But I'm afraid it won't work for him ... At least, the way Ivica himself wants.

I hope I am wrong.

- What result at the end of the season will be satisfactory for the team?

- CSKA has a very difficult schedule.

Now everything will be decided by the details: injuries, disqualifications, character.

I think the RPL silver will be a super result.

This would be a great and pleasant surprise for me.

And I will call a possible victory in the Russian Cup a fairy tale.