"THE BEST PLAYERS WILL BE INVITED TO THE NATIONAL TEAM"

Following the resignation of Berti Vogts as head coach of the Azerbaijani national football team, all fans are wondering who will replace him. The media make different assumptions, while the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) will hardly name the successor of Vogts before the end of the year. The former assistant head coach Mahmud Qurbanov has been appointed to lead the national team temporarily. On 16 November in Baku, he will lead the Azerbaijani team in the game against Norway in a qualifier for the European Championship in 2016. Mahmud Qurbanov shared his vision of the situation in the team in an interview with R+.

- How did you react to the 0:6 defeat in the game with Croatia? Did you expect Vogts to resign?

 - After the game with Croatia, Vogts didn't return to Azerbaijan with us. A few days later, we learned about his resignation. He didn't discuss this question with anyone. We were all very disappointed - the management, coaches and players. We failed the fans too. However, the opponent was very strong. We had little chance to return with points. In football, along with victories, defeats are inevitable too. But such a score doesn't do credit to anyone.

- You mean the national team expected defeat in Osijek?

- I would say that many didn't believe that the national team would return from two away games with head held high. But, of course, we didn't think about defeat before the games in Palermo and Osijek. We planned to show decent performance, and the coaches hoped to gain 1-3 points in the two games. In the game with Italy we were close to it, but couldn't keep the score. And talking about Croatia doesn't make sense. The score speaks for itself.

- After the defeat from the Croatian national team, Berti Vogts blamed the players. Who do you think is more to blame: the head coach or the players?

- If you lose, everyone in the team is to blame. There's no more or less guilt.

- After Vogts left, you were appointed to lead the national team...

- Working in the national team is an honour. So for me it was unexpected. AFFA President Rovnaq Abdullayev and Secretary General Elxan Mammadov entrusted this job to me. I'll try to do everything possible to make sure that we win points in the game with Norway. For me it's a great chance. There is no easy job. But I believe that I can cope with this task.

- Previously, you coached FC Kapaz. But your career didn't go well there...

- I believe that there's a difference between working with a club and with the national team. Work with the national team is harder and requires more responsibility. But since I've been appointed to the national team, I'll do everything possible to make use of this chance. I'm primarily interested in the success of the team rather than personal achievements.

- When will we know the name of the new coach?

- I have no information about this. In the meantime, we will be working together with Aslan Karimov and Rauf Mehdiyev. Let's help each other so the team shows decent performance in the match against Norway. Given the conversations in AFFA, we can say that the new coach is unlikely to appear within a month. At least I will be leading the team in the game with Norway. And as for who will be the coach in the future, I can't say anything.

- Have you discussed with AFFA for how long you have been appointed acting head coach of the national team?

- I was appointed to this post temporarily. But without a doubt, responsibility is very big. I think about the game with Norway all the time, because I'm personally responsible for the result. We agreed with AFFA only on the game with Norway.

- What could be your fate in the event of a positive outcome in the game with Norway?

- The coaches have already started preparing for the game. We want to please the fans with a good result. We understand the responsibility that rests upon us. And all subsequent issues are beyond our control.

- Are you ready to lead the team?

- I think it's a little early for that. I recently started my coaching career, and I haven't had time to accumulate experience. Therefore, it's very difficult for me. Working in the national team is an honour, but for the long-term it's very difficult to be head coach. AFFA is now looking for a new coach and there is no need for any comments.

- Will you continue to work as an assistant following the appointment of the head coach?

- I don't know who will be appointed. And yet, perhaps, I will continue working in the national team. But all this will be determined in the future. Now all attention is focused on the game with Norway.

- Earlier you said that you'd refuse naturalized players in the national team...

- This will not affect all legionaries. I'll probably invite Dmitriy Nazarov. He showed with his latest games that the team needs him.

- Will you invite Vaqif Cavadov and Mahir Sukurov?

- In the game with Norway, we will need experienced players. I plan to invite Cavid Imamverdiyev and Rahman Haciyev. Players with experience should play in the national team.

- What reforms are needed in the team after three defeats in a row?

- In any case, the choice is not great. Now the main thing is to be ready for the game with Norway. The best players will be invited to the national team. We must achieve a satisfactory outcome before our fans.

- Do you think the national team should be headed by a local or foreign specialist?

- Whatever I say, my words will be misinterpreted. The decision is made by AFFA. Everyone knows that there're ideal conditions for the main team of the country. Therefore, we're rightly required to produce a result. Regardless of who will lead the national team, it's necessary to raise the level of the team. The new coach will have to examine our players in a short time.