The Ivić factor

PAOK FC president Ľuboš Micheľ spoke first and presented the team’s head coach Vladan Ivić, also disclosing details about the agreement with the Serbian tactician:

« Vladan Ivić is the new coach of our side. Yesterday we agreed on a three-year collaboration and that is very important. We need to work with system –it’s important to have a coach that is going to be here for a long time. Vladan started his tenure in a very positive manner and I hope that he will stay even longer than the three years agreed.

I want to underline that, when I met Vladan as PAOK Academy coach and offered him the job at the seniors, he never spoke about money. He won the play-offs with the salary he was getting as U20 coach. He is a club man and considers this job as a challenge, he is very ambitious and eager to work hard» .

The coach of the “Double-Headed Eagle” declared himself ready for this huge responsibility, assured everyone that he has a… strong stomach, while also stressing that he never asked for guarantees in order to accept this coaching offer:

«I have never had any stomach problems so far. PAOK coach must have a strong stomach and know what awaits him and what he will be faced with. I don’t have any problem with responsibilities – me and my players will assume them. We will be working on a daily basis, we will be preparing for our games, we will access our performances and we will do our best to be happy when the final whistle of our matches sounds.

«I haven’t asked for guarantees – there is no reason to. There is trust. I have been here for many years and never encountered problems. I am satisfied with our way of working. We are looking for the adequate solutions to take the team to the next level.”

Planning of transfers

PAOK FC president analyzed the hottest topic, the transfers:

«We are ready to answer your questions about the signings, we have no secret agenda. I am trying to be open and fair with you. A player is here, accompanied by his lawyer. We are negotiating the contract. There isn’t a deal yet and I can’t disclose his name. If the agreement goes through during the day, you will learn it immediately.

Matos and Shakhov joined us. I believe that, when a player is available as free agent, then it’s possible to sign a long contract. With a short-term contract, there’s always the risk of the player having a great season and then losing him as free agent. Shakhov is 25 years old, very promising and I believe he will grow to be an important player for our team. I had my eye on Matos since my time in Ukraine. He is a very attack-minded full back, he can feature in both wings and I expect him to help our team’s attacking deployment.

Both signed three-year deals. It’s impossible to sign a contract of 1+1+1 years. I would like to add that I didn’t need to convince the players for a long-term contract with PAOK. They both wanted it, they are happy to join the club and consider it a big opportunity for their career.

We all need to understand that we won’t be making signings just for show. We are building a team, we will analyze our needs and look for players that meet them. We are not looking for quantity but for quality. We sign players that won’t need adaptation time. We consider each one of the newly-signed players as capable of making the starting line-up. We can’t give specific numbers about the signings. PAOK have a good team. We just need to focus on what we need in order to go a step further. I expect us to make 6-7 signings in total. We have good players, but there are problems in specific positions and we are looking for players to fill the gaps. I agree with Ivić that the team begins with the goalkeeper. One of the reasons we won the play-offs was conceding very few goals, 0.5 per game. During the regular season, that statistic was 1.06 goals per game –too big for a team aiming to top spots. That is why we are on the lookout for goalkeeper and defender.

We have already signed a full back who can feature on both sides, and as a right midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation. We have acquired a midfielder, we need a centre-back, one goalkeeper, a playmaker and a striker to help Klaus. Koulouris is an option, but our coach will make the call.

I believe that signings must be completed as soon as possible. Especially when looking for free agents, every day counts. That’s why we signed two players in mid-May. I don’t want to speak about Shakhtar all the time. We have our own way of doing things, we are PAOK. Shakhtar would sign players priced over 7 million euros. You can make your own calculation and tell me if we can do the same at PAOK.

Regarding the budget, there are no limits. Each transfer opportunity is separate –that is what we talked about in length yesterday with Mr. Savvidis.

Our philosophy dictates giving opportunities to players from our youth ranks, such as Koulouris and Giannoulis. They might not be ready yet to become starters, but we want to give them a chance to prove they can be useful in the future”.

Team’s identity

As responsible for the team’s performances, Vladan Ivić analyzed his thought on the PAOK that we will get to watch on the pitch in the upcoming season:

«When I took over, I didn’t know if I would be continuing in the following season. Apart from preparing for the matches at hand in order to achieve our goals, we would talk with Mr. Micheľ about the signings and the transfers that need to be made. I was the coach at that point and they wanted my opinion. What I thought about the players in our roster, what the team needs… We have checked the players out. I have gathered information, not just on their sporting assets, but also on their character, their working ethos and their professionalism. After gathering all that info from several sources, then I make the decision to sign them if I am satisfied.

Regarding the characteristics of the players we want, let’s start with the forwards. Here in Greece we mostly play against teams who defend in numbers. That is why we need players that will make a difference and have high scoring tallies. As for the holding midfielders, they must be able to build up play from the back, have good passing skills and play “attack-minded” defence. As for the winger we are looking for, apart from tactical nous and technical skills, he must have considerable pace. I want us to play attacking football and that requires pace.

Regarding tactics, I prefer a 4-3-3 formation with two holding midfielders, but that can change. When planning ahead for the new season, one is searching for the best players in specific positions. But we could also play 4-4-2 and 4-1-4-1. It depends on my players and on our rivals of the day. It goes without saying that I will try to find our own system, but things we can change during the course of each game depend on various situations”.

PAOK FC president added:

«I want to build a team that will attract the fans and pack Toumba. We saw it in the last encounter against Panathinaikos. Our fans are very helpful and boost our team’s potential by 15-20%. I was working for a team that played in a stadium of 52.000 seats, but it lacked the vibe of Toumba.

I would like to ask the fans to be patient with our team and be always by the players side, just like fans in England do. It’s easy to support the team when they are winning, but it’s important to be by their side also when they lose. Our team’s colours are black and white, resembling our emotions. We are either too good or too bad. I want to underline that our team needs support when they are on a rough patch”.

Training centre and injuries

In the season that just ended, the team suffered many injuries and there were concerns for the Nea Mesimvria training centre, whether it has a negative impact on the player’s muscular health. Micheľ announced that PAOK’s Sports Centre will undergo changes. Here is what he said:

«We agreed that Nea Mesimvria centre is in need of improvement, especially regarding the players’s rehabilitation routines. We want to reach high European standards. That will enable players to prepare better, because it’s not just the 90 minutes of training. We will try to improve the conditions

Many things will change. We will add a pool, Jacuzzi, cryotherapy. Everything is on paper, the plan is ready and I believe we will have more to say next week. We will expand our installations by 500 sq.m.”

The head coach of PAOK said that he has drawn his own conclusions and underlined that upgrading Nea Mesimvria will prove valuable for the players in their day-to-day life in the team:

«The work being done now in the Sports Centre is exactly what can help us improve. I have a few things on my mind regarding the cause of muscular strains. We are now preparing for preseason. I will organize the staff and will bring on board a few extra people, rehabilitation trainers. Our preseason will last almost five weeks until our first competitive game. As far as I am concerned, the first three weeks are very important. Since my playing days, but also now that I am studying football, I remember the basic rule: if a team have 60 games or more in their season calendar, they must work well in recovery between games. The players’ bodies must be ready to play every 3-4 days.

Those who stay and those who go

During the press conference, Ľuboš Micheľ also informed the media representatives that Dimitar Berbatov and Miguel Vítor will leave the club, and gave the following info regarding players’ sales:

«Berbatov had signed a one-year deal. He did his best and the administration decided not to extend his contract. Vítor’s contract is expiring and our decision was not to extend it. We want to thank him for these three years. The decision of myself, the scouting team and our coach is to try and find a better player.

Regarding sales, it’s normal that high-performing players who participate in the Euros will attract interest. We want to keep them, but if a good offer arrives, anything can happen. There is nothing official now, just talk. If something official occurs, you will learn about it”.

The coach spoke specifically about the players that PAOK have given on loan:

«I know all the guys who played last season. I have formed an opinion on all of them. Some will stay, others will continue on loan and some may leave the club. That is all I can say right now about the subject”.

Goalkeepers

Asked about the goalkeepers of the current roster and whether the club will move to sign another one, Ivić gave the following reply:

«We are thinking about acquiring a goalkeeper. When signing a new keeper, you bring him to become the starter, not the 2nd or 3rd in line. Glykos was very good in the last 7-8 games. I appreciate him, I have known him for years now and I think we should bring a goalkeeper who can challenge him for the starting line-up. I want them to make my choice hard. Regarding Vellidis, I am very happy with his work. He played from minute one and is a great professional, he works everyday at 100% and I have no issues with him. Our decision is to bring a goalkeeper who will fight to become regular. We are still looking, we haven’t reached a decision yet. As our president said, when the transfer goes through, you will learn about it. Let me tell you something… I believe that a team starts by their goalkeeper, so our choice is very important. That’s why we are talking about it, we are collecting information and we will do our best to bring a good goalkeeper who can become our No 1. It will be good to have our keepers compete for a spot”.

Ľuboš Micheľ agreed with the coach:

«Every team aiming to be competitive on three fronts (league, Cup and European competition), must have three goalkeepers ready to play, as this post has a high injury risk. We witnessed that with Glykos’s injury and it was tough to encounter a goalkeeper. We are in negotiations with Vellidis, Melissas has still a year on his contract, there is also young Siampanis. In my opinion, we should have four ready-to-play keepers”.

UEFA Champions League qualifiers

Micheľ stressed that the team will aim for the dream:

«We will fight, we will give it our best shot. We must always consider the potential of our rivals. Take, for example, the roster of Fenerbahçe SK. There are no easy rivals. Some opponents might be less complicated than others, but it’s a tough path. We have no pessimism and we want to make it to the UEFA Champions League group stage, but we are aware that it’s a tall order”.

Vladan Ivić didn’t refer specifically to the UEFA Champions League, but spoke about the new season in general:

«There is no point in talking and making promises before the season start. We will give it our best in the league, in the Greek Cup and in Europe. Our aim is to upgrade PAOK. The players in our existing roster and those who will join us will try to be competitive in each match and will aim defeat any opponent”.

The objectives

Media representatives asked about the objectives for the upcoming season. The president tried to be as clear as possible on PAOK’s aims in the following years:

«Planning is the hardest thing in football. In reality, you never know what will happen. You might have a great team, but a problem in the dressing rooms might destroy everything. Of course we want to win trophies. Our biggest judges are Mr. Savvidis and our fans. You saw it this season. We were in bad shape, almost didn’t make it to the play-offs, but judging by the final result, we can say that we were successful.

I can safely say that every player getting on the pitch wants to win. There are no guarantees, nobody can guarantee the league title. We are here to try and win trophies. We must give it all. We will bring players determined and motivated to win titles. I can never say or promise that we will get the league title next season. There are no guarantees for that, nobody can say that. Not Olympiacos, nor Panathinaikos or AEK Athens. I can guarantee that we will build a competitive team that will contend for the titles. Mr. Savvidis has made it clear that he will fight until the end against the status quo of Greek football. Everybody should fight for that. We expect the elections in the Greek Federation next October. We hope for a change so that we can compete in equal terms”.

Vladan Ivić didn’t promise titles, but he did promise daily work for the best possible results:

«I can make no promises regarding trophies. It goes without saying that we are chasing after anything in our power. We will give it our best to show the newly-signed players what PAOK is about and what we are after. They all must be disciplined and focused. We all must realize what this team is and show the utmost respect. From day one until the last day of the season, we must all be professionals. I understand what the fans are asking for and they need to know that the players are aware of the club they are playing for. We want to make our fans happy, as well as our major President and ourselves.

What PAOK have been missing is being competitive from the start until the end. They must fight from matchday 1 for their objectives. In recent years, promises were given, much was said before the season started, but I don’t have anything to say. We must have a full roster, with players who are ready to come on the pitch at any time and give the team what they need. By that, I mean that 17-18, even 20 players will be busy on all three competitions and they must bring on the pitch what I ask of them”.

Greek football and refereeing

Ľuboš Micheľ compared the Ukrainian experience on refereeing matters with the Greek one. He declared himself satisfied with the level of Greek referees when they do their duty without pressure. He also added that Ivan Savvidis is the only man capable of changing the situation in Greek football.

«I experienced a similar situation in Ukraine, with one club controlling almost everything. But things eventually changed there. In this season’s play-off, we witnessed that Greek referees have the necessary quality. It was a mini tournament without the participation of Olympiacos and everyone did their duty without fail. You saw our game. Had Petrić scored, we would be singing a different tune now. But that’s football. In the Greek Cup, it was obvious that, if a referee does a decent job, everyone stands to gain. It’s really odd that Greece’s best referee, who is at the Euros right now, isn’t getting appointed in high profile domestic games.

In Ukraine, Pierluigi Collina was appointed head of the refereeing committee –as foreign and independent. It took him 18 months to produce results, but now the refereeing level in Ukraine is very good. We need something similar here. A powerful person who can control and evaluate referees, make the decisions, take responsibility and be able to protect them when necessary. When a referee feels fear, it’s very tough to make the right calls».