Alekno & Verbov
„We all thought that I was at the highest level last season and that I will finish my career. That’s why both the club management and the coaching staff have jointly adopted such a decision to help me to adapt in a new role since, in the future, I see myself only as a coach, especially since I’ve been writing notes, summaries and preparing myself for this role for the last five years. I was supported in this by Alekno, he never interfered in my work. This year, I got tremendous experience in terms of working with the team. You see, Zenit is not an ordinary club. Any of your wrong actions, words, will immediately be spotted. So, in the course of the season, there were no problems, I never had to remind players that I’m a coach, not a player. And already next week I was standing with them and listened to the instructions of the coach and again went out to the floor. With the understanding that I got the last season, I tried to play so that I could leave in a nice way,” legendary Russian NT and Zenit libero Verbov said for “Chempionat”.
Nevertheless, he did not retire but extended the contract with the Men’s volleyball winners of Russia and CEV Champions League…
“Yes, since there was not a single option with independent coaching. When I signed the new contract, I talked with Alekno about my role in the team. Last season was a little adventurous, I got from it all that I could and wanted to get. Anyway, in the upcoming season I will not perform coaching functions and will concentrate entirely on playing. I admit, in the finish of the season I approached the coach and asked him that I no longer replace him, because the most important matches were about to start. Alekno answered – no problem. But if there is a situation when he will ask me to replace him due to some circumstances – I would do it. But, it would be just an isolated case, not on a regular basis,” Verbov added.
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