Jozsef Sabo demands strictness from Dynamo and doubts Kendzorek's prospects

Sharp reaction to defeat in Zhytomyr

Former head coach of the Kyiv side and the national team, Jozsef Sabo, voiced sharp criticism of Dynamo following their failure in the match of the 9th round of the Premier League. In the game against Polissya, the Kyiv team lost with a score of 1:3. This match had the status of the central event of the tournament day, as Polissya occupied second place in the league table, while Dynamo was third. It is worth noting that the home team were reduced to 10 men as early as the fifth minute, yet managed to secure victory. All three goals against the capital's footballers were scored by Ihor Krasnopir.

Lack of leadership and ferocity

According to Sabo, Dynamo's squad lacks a key figure who would keep the collective in discipline. The former coach emphasised that the players lack fighting spirit and the desire to battle for the ball. He also drew attention to the large number of mistakes the team makes on the pitch, stressing that football does not forgive such flaws.

“У Динамо немає мужика! Немає людини, яка буде всіх ставити на місця на футбольному полі… Футболісти Динамо – не мужики! Немає в них злості, щоб ішли на м’яч, боролися. І ще дуже багато помилок. Дуже багато! А футбол такого не пробачає” (There is no man in Dynamo! There is no person who will put everyone in their place on the football pitch... Dynamo footballers are not men! They have no ferocity to go for the ball, to fight. And there are also a lot of mistakes. A lot! And football does not forgive that), added the former coach of the Kyiv side.

Assessment of Ihor Kostyuk's work

Particular outrage for Sabo was caused by the performance of the defensive line. According to him, Polissya had the opportunity to score three more times against the Kyiv side. The former national team head also recalled that from the very beginning of the season he did not believe in Dynamo's ability to win the championship. His impression of the players coming onto the pitch was as if they appeared there only to formally fulfil their duties.

After the end of the match, club president Ihor Surkis decided to dismiss Ihor Kostyuk. Sabo is convinced that the coach lacked strictness.

“Тренеру треба бути мужиком. А Костюк... Ну, такий хлопець. У мене склалося враження, що Костюку було все одно, виграють його футболісти чи програють” (A coach needs to be a man. And Kostyuk... Well, he is such a guy. I got the impression that Kostyuk did not care whether his footballers won or lost), said Sabo.

Prospects for the new manager

At the same time, the expert expressed doubts about the club's ability to find a powerful replacement for the dismissed specialist. In his assessment, a foreign expert will not come to Ukraine because of the war, and Ihor Surkis's financial capabilities do not allow paying salaries at the level of top clubs.

Maciej Kendzorek, a Pole who previously worked as an assistant, was appointed as the acting head coach. Kendzorek's independent coaching experience is limited to 17 matches in charge of the Polish club Radomiak. Sabo is not sure that Dynamo's players will take the new manager seriously.

“Як його слухатимуть футболісти "Динамо", я не знаю. Там немає твердої руки. Якщо футболіст погано поводиться, не виконує вимог на тренуванні, його треба посадити на лаву запасних. І нехай сидить!” (I do not know how Dynamo's footballers will listen to him. There is no iron hand there. If a footballer behaves badly, does not meet the requirements in training, he needs to be put on the bench. And let him sit!), he stated.

Alternative option

Among Ukrainian specialists who could be considered for this position, Sabo singled out Oleh Luzhnyi. According to the expert, the former Dynamo captain has a strong character, but he was "feared because he could, as they say, give someone a kick in the arse".