On July 30 Roman Pipia, president of “Dinamo” Tbilisi, stated at the press conference that he is not going to waste money for the Georgian Championship. In the next season the club will compete with young football players and Kakhi Gogichaishvili will coach them. According to Pipia, he made this decision due to failure to “Aktobe” in Champions League II qualifying round and after increasing number of participant clubs in Supreme League up to 16. Only one legionary Xisco of Spain will stay in “Dinamo”.
Roman Pipia: “It is time to make fundamental changes. I want to present Kakhi Gogichaishvili. We have planned a long-term project which will lead us to victory. We have done everything not to lose to “Aktobe”. Our staff played from day till night. My patience is over. I decided to make the club younger. Only 10 football players from the old composition will stay in the club. Do you think it is easy for me to wait for success? I want to win but miracles do not happen and a lot of money is spent. Those football players who are not in the club anymore are professionals and will continue career in other clubs. 19-20 years old boys will play for “Dinamo”.
- When you came to “Dinamo” you stated you had a long-term project. What was your plan?
- When I came to “Dinamo” the club was in catastrophic situation. Those boys who have breached the limit must continue career in other clubs. Progress is the most important. If we want progress, we must carry out 2-3-year project. It is tough for me to say to coach and football player that they must go.
- How many football players have left the club? What were their salaries?
- In the future contracts and salaries will be placed on the website. The players who left the club had inadequate salaries. When people do not have 1000 GEL in Georgia, they received 10000 GEL. Only Xisco will stay from the legionaries.
- Did the club have problems in management?
- Staff is always problem in our country. Irakli Vashakidze left the post of sports manager. Kakhi will decide to will play for “Dinamo” and who will go. We will make accent only on the Georgian football players.
- Who made a mistake?
- First of all, I blame myself. The group makes mistakes. I never a principle: “I want so”. There are advisers and when they offer you two worst variants, you have to choose one of them. I do not want to name these people now. I want to give time to these young players and I want you to give us time. I am fed up with legionaries and wasting money.
- We remember such press conferences. What gives you a reason for optimism? What result will satisfy you?
- Perhaps, it is the most unpopular but the most right decision in the history of “Dinamo”. Some of them were great professionals. Some of them did not deserve such high salaries. Loria will not be in our club. He is a good goalkeeper and he will find a new club.
- Will the football players leave “Dinamo” as free agents or will they demand compensation?
- It is a tough issue because the football players have contracts with the club. We will discuss this issue. If you see other way, please, tell me. Moreover, 16 clubs will participate in the Georgian Championship. What conditions will these clubs have? Where will they play?
- What was the commitment of Bilek? Whose fault is this failure?
- You can ask Bilek. Perhaps, it is the fault of the coaches and the club. Bilek and I have talked about it. There will not be high salaries in the club but the football players will receive solid bonuses.
- Are you ready that in case of failure Gogichaishvili will face negative attitude from the press?
- We have agreed that Kakhi has 2 years, even 3 but he must show progress. Failure in 2-3 matches does not mean anything. “Dinamo” will have progress after a year.
- Do you think the changes are late?
- It would have been better if I had made these changes earlier. I have made this decision due to failure to “Aktobe” and the Georgian Championship.
- Will you strengthen the club if you make through to European tournaments in the next season?
- We think only about a long-term perspective.
- Has your decision any connection to that you might not have so much money to finance the club. What will be the salary limit in “Dinamo”?
- We are the only club in Georgia which can spend 10 or 15 million. It will be good if we have 2-3 opponents. Our budget is the highest among the Georgian clubs.
- You and Ilia Kokaia, president of “Zestafoni”, have made decisions almost together…
- Kokaia thinks like me. I do not know salaries of “Zestafoni”. The players who do their work must receive good salaries, not those who do nothing.
Pipia left the press conference hall and Kakhi Gogichaishvili, new head coach of “Dinamo”, answered the questions of the journalists:
“We are building a new team. Only Xisco will stay from the legionaries. We must build ambitious team. The following players have left the club: Merebashvili, Martsvaladze, Grigalashvili, Khidesheli, Garcia, Jorda, Khurtsilava, Dosoudil, Kvirkvelia, Vouho. We must have the players who will do their best for “Dinamo”.
- Will you be able to become champion of Georgia?
- We must make accent on the Georgian Championship. “Dinamo” will always be the club which will fight for high goals.
- Before the season the club held two meetings. Now many players left the team. How can you prepare for the championship?
- It will be tough because the championship starts on August 9. However, we will do our best.
- How tough will it be to play with unexperienced football players?
- We need 3 experienced players. The young players have a chance of success.
- Who will help you in “Dinamo”?
- Suliko Davitashvili and Zura Kvachakhia will help me. Goalkeepers’ coach Gela Chanturia will stay in the team. bondo Gotsiridze will be a fitness coach.
- What specific term did the management of the club give you?
- We have time to show progress.
Lasha Tabagari
