Suphanburi FC welcome our new head Coach: Velizar Popov
This afternoon we are delighted to reveal that our new head Coach, Velizar Popov. Velizar is a thirty eight year old Bulgarian who started his coaching career in the Bulgarian A League in 2009 as the youngest manager in the league. He then moved to Danish team Liberika Horsens where they won promotion in 2011 before moving to Modovan Premier League club FC Costuleni. Last season he coached Maldivian team New Radiant with an unbeaten record. The team scored the biggest win ever in the AFC Cup 7-0 against Indonesian team Persibo. New Radiant finished on the top of the group stage of this year's AFC cup with the best attacking record of 20 goals in 6 games.
So let's find out more about Vilzar's career so far:
"Last season I was in Oman. Before that I was in the Maldives for one year. There we won the treble without losing or drawing a game and we reached the quarter finals of the AFC Cup. We won the group stage with the best attacking record which was excellent for Maldives football. Before that I was one year in Moldova and before that I was in Denmark. Before being a Head Coach I was a coach in academy teams so I have made all the steps through the different jobs."
You are also a young coach, despite your experience. Combining your age and experience, what kind of advantages do you think that gives you?
"Yes, I already have fourteen years experience. It is an advantage because when you start with kids you move step by step and learn from your mistakes. If you make mistakes at a higher level you will never be forgiven, so it was very important for me to start this way. The advantage is being a closer age to the players instead of being maybe sixty five. So I always have very good connections with my players. This is very important because, to make success, it is a two way process: you can believe in the players, but the players must also believe in you."
You have been in Thailand for three weeks now. What have you learnt about Thai football and Suphanburi FC ?
Always when I start a job I study the club first. I need to know information about where I will go, what is the target of the club and the quality of the players. So I have watched Suphanburi's last three games and also I have watched seven or eight games from video. I have also watched games from other teams. I have been impressed with the club. They are very ambitious. The project of the President and the Director is very impressive and I am now ready to start the job. I don't want to work with a club that thinks only about today. I need a club that also thinks about tomorrow because in football yesterday is not important, only today and tomorrow. I see last season the club finished fourth. The target is to finish a little higher this year. I have seen the atmosphere at the club and it is amazing and these fans in some games will make a difference. So all these things are very interesting to me. The city is small and calm so we can can all concentrate on our jobs."
What can the fans expect from you in terms of your style of play and the way you like to do your job?
As I said, we already have quality players but my vision about the football is different. With these players we can play much better football. For me the most important thing is to improve, especially to be more dynamic and have more rhythm and speed in the game as well as being more aggressive pressing.when we have possession of the ball, we must also build attack from defence in an intelligent way. Doing this we can do something big in the league. Now we don't have time to change the fitness levels of the players but we can be smart and take it step by step. We only need little cosmetic changes to help the players play better."
One of our President's key targets is to reach the AFC. Tell us about you campaign last season.
"The international competitions are always the most important. Last year in the AFC Cup we were a small team but we won the group stage and reached the quarter finals, which was a big shock for everyone. It was like a team from Luxembourg getting to the quarter finals of the Champions League. This is the target of the President and it is very important for me because international football is another level. We are all here for this.
Last year's results must have made you attractive to many teams. What made you choose Suphanburi?
The big wins were impressive and gave me the chance to work in Oman, but these results were because of very hard work. You cannot start today and expect something different. You need time and to get the players to believe in you and you can get to your target. The league is important and so is the FA Cup to help us get to The Champions League. We also want to do it playing attractive football.
Do you have a message for our fans?
First I want to say I am very happy to be at this club and I am very impressed with them. They can make a difference in the game. I watched Police United last night and they are a very physical and tough team. When you are player with this fantastic support you can play better.
Matt Riley