Vardan Minasyan: "I experienced indescribable moments in the Armenian national football team".

Both appointment and resignation of Vardan Minasyan as the chief coach of the Armenian national football team was surprising for many people. In his exclusive interview to Mediamax, Vardan Minasyan speaks about his work with the team, achievements, reasons for his leaving the team and continuation of his career.

"I already miss the national team"

- When did you understand it's time to leave the post of the chief coach of the national team?

- Changing teams is a normal process in a coach's life: each coach wants to improve his skills and develop. I was lucky to head our national football team at a young age. Both during the coaching and games I had very bright feelings. However, a national football team's coach has little practical work and I need daily work which is possible only in a club. 

I should confess the following thing. After our first game with Czech Republic, I submitted a request for resignation as I felt the connection between the players and me was somehow upset. We didn't seem to understand and listen to each other. But then, thank God, everything fixed and our guys considerably contributed to it. They understood what I demanded from them.

- How did you make the decision? Didn't you have doubts?

- I had no doubts at all concerning the decision which I had made still several games before the end of the World Cup qualifying round. No matter how well we would finish it I would resign even if the final result were much more impressive.

- Did you ask for anybody's advice while making the decision?

- There are people whom I am very close to and I trust them. I talked to them on this subject but it was me who made the final decision.

Vardan Minasyan.
Photo: Mediamax.

- Won't you miss the national team?

- Of course, I will. We were very close and it seems I am leaving my family. Our team is based on warm human relations. To be honest, I already miss them.

"I don't soar after victories and don't feel weak after failures"

- In this qualifying round, our team had both ups and downs, they didn't manage to play stably. There were unexpected victories and failures. What was the reason for such a situation?

- When there is not stable composition in a team, when football players get traumas and yellow cards and there are no many options, you don't manage to realize what you have planned. Our team faced these problems and couldn't demonstrate a stable game.

- Why did our team play better in the away matches in this qualifying round?

- The pressure on the players in Armenia is usually high and the atmosphere in the stadium during away matches is completely different. Besides, during guest games, we have more space for counterattacks and guys can freely play. And the counterattacks is the forte of our team.

Vardan Minasyan.
Photo: Mediamax.

- What didn't you mostly manage to do in the qualifying round?

- The game with Malta was a complete failure and the I am the one who is fully responsible for it. People still can't understand the reason for this failure. But it's football and if always strong teams win the game will not be interesting. It's hard to say what the team didn't manage to do. Even in the past 2 days, we had to make substitutes in the first half. It's difficult to make up something new in this situation and change the game. 

- Is the broken link you have spoken about in the past?

- Yes, if we managed to demonstrate such a game. That showed that our guys have high team spirit and will: it's indeed hard to rise after falls. But as the people say: "One should properly fall to rise later". The team proves that it should be relied upon and trusted.

- Many people think you are not enough tough coach. What kind of coach are you in reality?

- "Mild" and "tough" are relative notions.  If I don't shout that doesn't mean I am a weak man. If one can express an idea in words why should he yell? One can choose necessary words to pull up a man. That's my working style: I am civil - neither tough nor mild.

Vardan Minasyan.
Photo: Mediamax.

- This year, you have often been roughly criticized. How did you treat it?

- I read many books on Armenian history and I know strong and weak features of our nation. I also aware of my potential. Taking all this into account, I treat criticism calmly but that doesn't mean it's pleasant for me. I don't soar after victories neither do I feel weak after failures.

"The team will achieve big success sooner or later"

- How would you characterize the team headed by Vardan Minasyan?

- As a patriotic and united one. Love toward homeland is the biggest motivation necessary for playing in the team. Our guys are real patriots.

- What do you think your biggest achievement in the team is?

- Our team plays very faithfully, struggles to the very end and it has become a united collective. It may be my achievement. When I started leading the Armenian national team I wasn't very experienced. I learnt many things from the guys.

- You have been heading the Armenian national team for the past 2 qualifying rounds.  What did the years in the team give you?

- Over these years, I have learnt much. Not everyone is lucky to head a national football team at a young age. Connection with our football players was very useful for me, we had always been honest to each other. They have huge potential and what is most important - they are wonderful people. I am sure the team will sooner or later be a big success. The guys deserve it irrespective of with whom they work. After all, not the name of the coach but the Armenian national team will remain in the history and we all will be happy about it.

Gohar Nalbandyan and Hasmik Babayan talk to Vardan Minasyan.
Photo: Mediamax.

- You said you had an offer to work abroad. Can you tell us about it in more detail?

- There are various offers but I can't say anything certain yet. I don't think I will shift to a new job at once. When the decision is made I will inform about it by all means.

- What will be crucial for you while choosing among several offers?

- The ambitions of the club. Without a clear goal, neither a coach nor players can have good results. Only if there is a definite goal will the football players act with motivation.

- In your opinion, will it be possible to see you in the post of the chief coach of the Armenian national football team some time later?

- "Never say never". I don't know what will happen tomorrow but I will be very happy to try to help our team again. I'll be honest: I experienced indescribable moments in the team and I would like them to be repeated.

Gohar Nalbandian and Hasmik Babayan talked to Vardan Minasyan.