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IVANOV: HIDDINK WILL LEAVE CHELSEA IN MAY
Sergey Ivanov states that Guus Hiddink will leave Chelsea in May to
concentrate on his work in the Russian national team.
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Sergey Ivanov congratulates CSKA head coach
Zico with his first trophy in Russia, Super Cup March 7 2009 Photo
SPORT EXPRESS
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Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov, supporters of Zenit
and CSKA, talks to Sport Express about his views on the Russian football
season.
"Football is the most popular kind of sport, however I am sure that
basketball is the best game in the world", said Ivanov.
"I started supporting Zenit when I was a child. But when I became
Minister of Defence I was unable to attend their matches in St. Petersburg".
"I can't say that I became a CSKA supporter because I was a Minister,
since it happened because I love sport. CSKA basketball club is the number
one for me, but I also pay attention to their football team. Since then
I have two equally beloved teams - Zenit and CSKA, and I try not to attend
their head-to-head clashes. Meanwhile I am pleased that these two clubs
are the strongest in our country nowadays".
"Both Zenit and CSKA continue their fight for the UEFA Cup trophy,
and if these clubs come up against each other in the final, it wouldn't
produce a sensation in Europe. Both CSKA and Zenit have already won UEFA
Cup trophy and both clubs are tipped as favorites. But I wouldn't like
to hurry with conclusions, as it's better to wait for results of their
games with Udinese and Shakhtar".
"If we set really serious tasks, let's speak about the Champions
League, but not about UEFA Cup. In Europe's leading championships UEFA
Cup is not valued so much. Just look at Aston Villa, which preferred to
fight for the fourth place in their domestic competition and a spot in
the Champions League, than tear between two tournaments".
"That is why I don't think that our clubs achieved something significant.
On one hand I believe that CSKA is able to reach Champions League playoffs,
but how this target could be compared with tasks of Manchester United,
Barcelona and other European football powers?"
"I believe that move to a foreign club is a big chance for our leading
players. Sometimes I think that it would be awful if Yuri Zhirkov moves
abroad, but then I understand that he is younger and he can get offers
from superclubs like it happened with Andrei".
"If we get four or five players, who perform in the leading European
clubs, to my mind it will be a good sign for our national team".
"Players will change their attitude to football, as they will learn
to win all matches and won't have any sign of thoughts about losing them.
Moreover they will get knowledge of players from all leading Europe's
national teams. If Russia meet them in qualifiers or final matches, it
won't be necessary to tell our players about their opponents and inspire
them with a thought that they can compete with them as equals".
"Foreign coaches, such as Hiddink, Advocaat and Messina, proved that
there are no coaches of the same level in Russia. I don't see anyone more
experienced than Valery Gazzaev".
"I am sure that Guus Hiddink will leave Chelsea at the end of their
season".
Sport
Express Daily, 17 Mar 2009
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