Why MATCH TV doesn’t need Russian legends of world football?
Alexander Mostovoy returned to Russia ten years ago from prosperous Europe. But, by and large, he did not find a use for himself in his seemingly native country. Exclusive details — in an interview with the player specifically for the telegram channel VChK-OGPU and Rucriminal .info.
THE CURSE OF "SPARTACUS"?
— Your teammate in the red and white club, Evgeniy Lovchev, was silently, and without any reason, kicked out of MATCH TV, he still did not understand why. After a frank interview with our editors, he was returned to the air. Apparently a similar story happened to you, or are there distinctive nuances?
— In fact, I worked on television for probably eight years. Even before the creation of the MATCH TV channel. They were located on Shabolovka. Everything was fine, he was considered almost the main football expert. Still, Alexander Mostovoy, without false modesty, understands the intricacies of the popular game, and is considered one of the best masters in the country. And in Europe they value and respect.
In short, my contract with the current MATCH TV has expired. For reasons unknown to me, the cooperation agreement was not extended. Well, I waited a couple of months until the New Year, I thought they would eventually get in touch with me and we’d continue to communicate. No, no one ever called or explained anything. Although I’m always, one might say, on call 24 hours a day, I don’t turn off my phone, I’m open to conversation.
Then I realized that nothing would happen to television anymore. In principle, I reacted calmly. I didn’t humiliate myself, call, find out. Why on earth? Although, I will not hide, the first two or three months during the period of silence from the television people were unpleasant. Precisely because no one called or explained anything. In the end, I am a player with a name; even without MATCH TV everyone knows me as a football player. I won’t get lost.
— And who, after all, contributed to the departure of Alexander Mostovoy, do you know the ins and outs? Maybe the well-known Kandelaki and Miller, or Guberniev tried their best? First Lovchev, now you are an outcast. Looks like discrimination based on the club...
— I have known Dima Guberniev for a total of twenty years, it is unlikely that he was involved in my departure. Honestly, I don’t know who or what. But I don’t want to retell rumors or delve into “dirty laundry.” I’ve never delved into the specifics of “kitchen”, why should I? Life goes on, not a tragedy. Let me just say that I don’t know half the people there at this MATCH, they didn’t even really play football. Shalimov, Arshavin, Korneev, yes, are of interest, they are personalities in football.
— Were you offered to work at the like-minded Spartak? There you and your team twice won gold for the USSR champions, after which you were invited to Europe.
— More than ten years ago I returned to Russia, waiting for offers from Spartak. Well, at least work in some capacity at your favorite club. And during this decade, no one from Spartak called. I don’t care anymore: they’ll call me, they won’t call me, I’ve somehow “burnt out” in this sense. I’m tired of waiting, or something.
In general, it’s strange that players of my level, who have gone through a lot, played a fair amount, including in Europe, often find themselves on the sidelines, as if on the sidelines. Yes, there are examples of Karpin, the same Semak. But they are rather an exception to the general rule.
— But “coach” Abascal is in full view of the entire football community, preparing the popular club for the upcoming trials. How do you evaluate the efforts of the Spanish specialist?
— But I don’t know who it is to appreciate it! Is it true. When his appointment as the head coach of Spartak was announced, I used my Spanish sources to try to find out and understand what kind of person came to the most popular Russian team.
After all, I played in Spain for a long time, I have plenty of acquaintances in the world of football. So, none of my Spanish counterparts could answer who Abascal is, can you imagine?! I didn’t play football or anything, really. Tedesco, remember, was the same. He came, he jumped, he earned money, and he left.
People here have been devoting half a century to football. They get up at six in the morning, go to train, and this happens almost every day, well, from my life and practice. Guys, are you all eager to play football? Go to handball, volleyball, or somewhere else. Football is truly “smeared with honey,” no matter how you twist it or say it, the most popular sport on the planet. That’s why there is an overabundance of random gentlemen now.
Of course, it’s annoying, even infuriating, that Spartak hires “people by advertisement.” Unacceptable. In recent years, the red-and-white club has had a dozen head coaches and about seventy assistant coaches. Yes, some leading European teams also often change coaches. But at least they win something there. There is one national cup, and a championship in the 2016-2017 season, that’s all. What kind of development are we talking about here?
Which exit? Yes, none. Worked, earned money, left. Abaskal is one of them. All football life is like this.
— Is coaching your calling? There was information that you were studying this type of football art in order to then work under a license in one of the domestic clubs. So?