Mirko Vučinić, coach - it may sound unexpected, but this is a very serious matter.
With these words, the famous "Gazeta delo Sport" begins the story with the new coach of Montenegro and the former great ace of Roma and Juventus.
Mirko on the bench of Montenegro, who would have thought it - continued "Gazeta".
"You see, a person grows, changes. Are you the same person as you were 20 years ago?" was Vučinić's response to the Italian journalist.
The legendary football player and first captain of Montenegro spoke to a sports newspaper from Milan about many topics - from his new calling, his difficult start on the bench of the "Falcons", the chances of our national team in the future, the coaches he worked with, Vasilije Adžić, Nikola Krstović, the moment when he demolished Real Madrid...
The start of Mirko's coaching career was not ideal - a 4:0 defeat in the Faroe Islands.
"True, but there are excuses - narrow pitch, artificial grass, strong wind. And my boys are also in a crisis when it comes to self-confidence - as soon as something negative happens, it's like they shut down. We have to work on that, because we have talent," Mirko began.
The first victory came in the second match - Montenegro defeated Liechtenstein 2:1.
"It was better, especially because of the results. But we still have a lot to grow - and we will. We can't go to the World Cup anymore, but we will try to qualify for the European Championship. The most important thing is to regain faith in ourselves as a team."
Why did the Football Association of Montenegro choose you?
"Because I've already been on the coaching staff, I know the team and the environment. I'm just at the beginning of my career and I'm learning. I'm taking the final license exam in December and then I can coach any team."
As a player, Vučinić had the opportunity to work with top coaches, and Gazeta asked which of them he looked up to.
"To Antonio Conte, Luciano Spalletti and Zdenjek Zeman. They were my true teachers. If I manage to become a mix of the three of them, I will be a successful coach."
As a player, could you have achieved more?
"True. If you had asked me that five years ago, I would have said I didn't care. Now, on the other hand, I see that I should have tried harder. It's not enough to just have technical talent and I often tell my players that now."
Maybe you'll return to Italy one day?
"Who knows."
Mirko's goals also brought Juventus the Scudetto, and the Turin giants were his last team in Italy. The Old Lady are currently going through a difficult period.
"I see tactical balance, regardless of the heavy defeat against Kom. Tudor is doing a good job, and there is quality in the team."
Have you spoken to Tudor?
"Twice, mostly about Vasilije Adžić, who is Montenegrin."
What did you advise him?
"Nothing to Tudor - I don't dare. But I think Adžić has to go somewhere where he can play. Without minutes, the game doesn't mature. He's a great player, he can be a number eight or a last midfielder, but training alone isn't enough."
Juventus was also defeated by Real Madrid in the Champions League last night (1:0) - almost 18 years ago, it was Vučnić who silenced the "Bernabeu" with a goal for Roma in the 92nd minute and eliminated the "royal club" in the round of 16 of the UEFA elite.
"An unforgettable moment, an incredible joy. It was a real miracle to knock Real out in the round of 16 of the Champions League. Spalletti made a great substitution then."
Why?
"Because he introduced me (laughs)".
How do you feel about Roma today?
"They're a good team, well-managed. They lost to Inter, but they played good football. I hope they fight for a place in the Champions League."
And Lecce, the club that launched you?
"I have a house there, my wife is from that part of Italy. I hope the team stays in Serie A."
Is it true that you recommended Nikola Krstović to Pantaleo Corvino (Lecce's sports director)?
"No, Corvino already knew him. He just asked my opinion and I said it was worth bringing him."
To what level can Krstović go, now as an Atalanta player?
"He's a great striker, he can play alone in attack, but I just want him to be a bigger leader," Vučinić concluded.
Who would I recommend for Serie A? Osmajić
In a separate interview he gave to the famous Italian journalist Gianluca Dimarzio, the Montenegrin coach was asked, among other things, which player from our country he would recommend to teams in Serie A.
"I would say Milutin Osmajić, who plays for Preston in the Championship. He is very similar to Krstović and is very good. Serie A? I hope it's for him, he's a really great guy," said Vučinić.
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