“BARCA’S” MAN JOINS “XAZAR-LENKARAN”

The media started talking about a foreigner being appointed as manager of "Xazar-Lankaran" football club soon after Yunis Huseynov resigned. And their speculation was soon justified. For the first time in the Azerbaijani championship a Spanish coach has been appointed team manager - 39-year old Carles Martorell Baques has taken over at the ambitious "Xazar-Lankaran".

There were different reactions in the football world to this appointment because the young Spanish coach's CV says nothing about working as a chief coach. Some experts actually had doubts about the grounds for appointing Baques who had only occupied administrative positions at various clubs.

We spoke to the Spanish coach immediately after his appointment. At first he declined to give an interview, saying he had too much on his plate. But when we explained that all we wanted to do was get to know him better and be clearer about his appointment, Baques agreed.

- You still haven't spoken to journalists since your appointment and Azerbaijani fans hardly know you. How did you come to be working over here?

- I am grateful to the owners and the management of "Xazar-Lankaran". As you know, there were a lot of people after the job of chief coach. The final choice came down to me. I watched "Xazar-Lankaran" in action and I have to say they are a good side. The appointment was only made a short time ago and so it is quite natural that the fans don't know me yet.

- It's a long time since "Xazar-Lankaran" won the league. The club seems to be having a bad run. Won't you find it hard working with a team like that?

- I came here to win things. I know what the team has done recently and I believe I can make "Xazar" champions again. If I didn't, I wouldn't take on such responsibility.

- Have we got it right, you have never been a chief coach before…?

- I used to be with "Barcelona". That club's achievements are an example to the whole world. I got plenty of experience there. There are difficulties in any job. If I was afraid of them I wouldn't be a coach.

- What tasks have the club's management set you?

- I have been asked to create a fighting team. We haven't spoken about winning the championship. But I know that Lankaran has always been an ambitious club. I also know about its fans who give them great support.

- Are you familiar with the Azerbaijani championship?

- I went to a few matches when I came here in May. I have also seen videos of Lankaran's matches. There are a lot of strong teams in the championship, but "Xazar" has the potential to scrap with the best of them.

- What sort of style will the team be playing?

- For me, along with results, style is also important. Attractive football is a basic criterion. I would like to attack from the wings. The players must be comfortable on the ball and not give it away. Once your opponents have the ball they can create a threat at any time. The team must learn how to put pressure on an opponent.

- A new coach usually brings people from his own country with him. How soon can we expect to see some of your Spanish colleagues at Lankaran?

- I am not planning to invite players from Spain. First of all I need to meet all the members of the team. There are bound to be changes in the winter and new players will be acquired. But not necessarily from Spain. I shall be needing top-class players and it is not important what country they are from.  The main thing is that they perform on the pitch. That will be enough.

- Usually new players don't want to live in Lankaran and stay in Baku. I wonder what you think about this?

- The team will live in Lankaran. All the facilities for training are there. If our base is in Lankaran, why should we have to live in Baku? Players can go there before matches, but on the whole they will be staying in the south.

- It will be difficult working with the Lankaran team. How much time will you need before you get results?

- That's a leading question. I need to get to know the team better. Only then can one talk about time. You will know where I am after a few results. I can sense you don't have much confidence in me, but everyone needs time to create the conditions to show what they can do. Only then can you discuss what I have done.

- Up to now you have mainly had administrative positions. That's the only reason we have doubts…

- I have always wanted to work with ambitious clubs. Lankaran has now given me this chance. I am prepared to work to show what I can do. I know that working with Barcelona doesn't guarantee anything. The main thing is to get results. I don't have a problem with this lack of confidence in me. Let's meet again after the winter break and then I'll be able to talk about what we have done.