Former Saturn coach Vladimir Weiss talks about Russia, the Champions League, Cherchesov, Kvaratskhelia, Skrtel and world championships

Vladimir Weiss is well known to Russian fans from his work at Saturn. It was in Ramenskoye that the international career of the Slovak coach began 16 years ago. It did not start too well, given the big ambitions and the corresponding budget of the Moscow Region club. Nevertheless, the fans remember the “drawn Mr” with warmth.

Then in his biography were the national team of his native Slovakia, who beat Italy at the 2010 World Cup, two trophies with Kairat and five years in the Georgian national team. Ironically, it was in Batumi this week that Weiss’ Slovan made a stunning comeback in the Champions League qualifier. Losing by the 115th minute, he snatched the victory in the 123rd. Moreover, the guests scored the decisive goal with a direct kick from the corner!

– Agree, an extremely unexpected result, taking into account all the circumstances? I asked Vladimir.
– Sometimes it happens that not the best team at the moment wins. Batumi may have deserved to win in 90 minutes, but football is full of surprises. We didn’t have enough time to prepare. The opponent is on the move, so he ran faster and closed the zones. But we scored two goals and we move on.

– You knew almost all Dynamo players. Big help?
– Undoubtedly. I coached half of this team in the national team. During the year and a half of my absence in Georgia, several young players have been added to Dynamo. My colleague Giorgi Geguchadze has done a great job going from the second division to the championship. A magnificent stadium, crowded stands, a lot of children – they created a wonderful football atmosphere in Batumi.

– Play Kvaratskhelia, it would be even harder for you. What do you think awaits him in Italy?
– If Khvicha is physically ready for football at a different level, then he may well become a worthy replacement for Insigne, who left for America. In terms of one-on-one and even one-on-two play, he has not many equals.

— How were you received in Georgia? You even shed a tear at the press conference.
– Very warm. Yes, I wanted to cry – there were so many emotions before the game, and during, and after. When you score in the last second against your friends… But only one team could go further.

– Now you are waiting for “Ferencvaros” by Stanislav Cherchesov.
– When Stas arrived in Hungary, we phoned, chatted about our affairs, about families. He offered me Lasha Dvali, whose contract was ending there, but we did not pull the transfer. They joked, laughed, but now there will be no time for jokes. Cherchesov made a good team, recruited many new quality players. He always has discipline at the forefront. Obviously, it just won’t. Moreover, this is a big derby between countries and capitals, between Budapest and Bratislava. The stadiums will be packed for both matches.

– What are your tasks in this European competition?
– Our dream is to constantly participate in some kind of group tournament. We are probably not quite ready for the Champions League yet, but there are surprises. 17 years ago, we managed to do this with Artmedia. So let’s wait and see.

– Slovan won four national championships in a row. Slovak Zenit?
– You can say so. We also have the best conditions, the best players and the best new stadium in the country. Therefore, the task is to become the first every year. This season, you also need to win the Cup, which was given away the previous time. Well, and the European Cup group stage, as I said.

– You said that the salaries of Batumi football players are much more modest than yours. Where does the money come from in rather modest Slovak football?
– Slovan is owned by my closest friend Ivan Kmotrik and his son, whom I have known since I was three years old. They have many different business lines, but their true love is football. Ivan was my boss back at Artmedia many years ago, when we beat Inter and generally showed good results. When I left for Saturn, he bought Slovan.

– Which of the foreign business trips sunk into your soul the most?
— I am a professional trainer. I do not divide countries depending on memories or associations. But the main thing is that everywhere I have good relations with people, professional connections. Everywhere there is someone to hug.

What are your memories of Saturn 15 years later?
“I was a young coach then. Perhaps, he did not understand the peculiarities of Russian football too quickly. Then, in terms of understanding, it became easier, but we played several draws in a row, we could not score. Therefore, after a year and a half, he resigned. Well, that’s also an experience. A coach learns all his life, because in this case you don’t know what will happen in a week. Hard work, but beautiful. It is a great happiness that we are fed by what we love.

– You worked in “Kairat” with a very interesting president Boranbaev, also Kairat. So, Kurban Berdyev disagreed with him in his views on football. According to him, Boranbaev insisted on “playing against the ball”, and not with the ball, in a certain style of Rangnick. Have you experienced this?
– Not. And I don’t remember Kurban playing pressure, he always built indoor football. Yes, he had good ball control, but defense and counterattacks were still in the foreground. His unusual at that time system with five defenders worked in Rubin and gave a result. This is a very smart, experienced coach. Perhaps something has changed in terms of football outlook.

Kurban Berdyev and Vladimir Weiss

Photo: Alexander Safonov, “Championship”

– You also have considerable experience behind you – two world championships in different capacities. Do you communicate now with your brilliant partners in the national team of Czechoslovakia-90?
– We often see Lubos Moravchik, he lives nearby. When we play with the Czechs, I always meet someone. Recently I saw Jan Kotsyan, who has now accepted the Slovak club. It’s hard for us to get lost.

– 20 years after Italy-1990, you came to the World Cup as a head coach. The fate of those who played under your leadership in Russia is also interesting. Skrtel, Dyuritsa, what are they doing?
– Skrtel just graduated, in the last season he was the captain in Trnava. Lives in Bratislava, is friends with my son, their children go to the same school. Jan Dyuritsa worked as an assistant at Artmedia, where I grew up and where I left for Russia. He also lives not far from me, sometimes we meet, we remember the past. Thank you for helping him discover your country.

Vladimir Weiss

Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

— Do you ever want to return to Russia?
“I only look at football. It is a pity to see what is happening in the world now, but I would not like to talk about it on the pages of a sports publication. I have another year of contract with Slovan. I have always respected Russia, I learned a lot there. I was tormented by the fact that I could not fully realize myself in Saturn, although the chances were excellent. There is something to make up for.