Ukrainian coach Kirill Nesterenko has recently joined the coaching staff of Nikolai Kostov at Bulgaria’s Levski club. In an interview with FanDay.net, Nesterenko discusses how this opportunity came about and the goals set for the team. Levski, a renowned brand in Bulgarian football, aims to disrupt the dominance of Ludogorets in the championship. Nesterenko also mentions the possibility of recruiting Ukrainian footballers to strengthen the team. With Levski’s participation in the Conference League, their priority remains the championship, as they seek to break Ludogorets’ 12-year hegemony.
Ukrainian coach Kirill Nesterenko entered the headquarters of Nikolai Kostov in the Bulgarian club. In an interview with FanDay.net, the expert told how this choice and many other interesting things appeared in his career.
Remember, we had an interview on FanDay with the UPL record holder – the youngest coach in the history of the Ukrainian championship? There is a new turn in the rich biography of the young Ukrainian specialist Nesterenko. Kirill, who successfully worked independently in Kazakhstan, now he entered the coaching staff of Nikolai Kostov in Bulgaria’s Levski.
In an interview FanDay.net he told how such a choice arose and what task was set for the Sofia club.
“Levski went to Kostov, and we decided to work together”
Kirill, how did the choice with Levski turn out?
– The club contacted Nikolai Kostov, held negotiations. We decided that we will work together and try to develop a team, fight for the highest place.
— What do you expect from working in Bulgaria?
– At the moment, the top position in the Bulgarian championship is quite competitive. There are teams that are basically financially stable and have good infrastructure. And of course, they have a good fan base. These are CSKA, Ludogorets, Lokomotiv Plovdiv and, of course, Levski.
– In Ukraine, Ludogorets is better known, which is currently played by Igor Plastun. However, we also played at Levski (this is an interview with goalkeeper Morgun). How is the life of this club now and what do you expect from cooperation with it?
— Levski is the brand in Bulgarian football with the highest goals. I look forward to this work with great interest. For me personally, this is a good opportunity to work in Europe, because it is very important to gain experience in European countries, even from the point of view of a different mentality.
Kirill Nesterenko. Photo from the material hero archive
“The task is to disrupt the hegemony of Ludogorets in the championship”
– Does Mykola Kostov consider the option of inviting one of the Ukrainian footballers?
– Since. Our team is ready, but there are positions that need to be strengthened. We are also interested in Ukrainian football players, reinforcement is never superfluous.
– Who else among Ukrainians plays or works in Bulgaria?
– Timur Skorykh works in our headquarters – he is a physical training coach, he is also a Ukrainian who works in Shakhtar and Kryvbas.
– What are the goals set for Levski?
– Levski always had one goal: just fight for the championship. No other goals.
– And in the European competition?
– We take part in the Conference League, it is very important for every club to get into the group stage, but the championship is the priority. Because there was a 12-year dominance of Ludogorets, and no one could move him from the first place.
There are several reasons for this: Ludogorets is developing in a good way. Finances are very stable, and in general, the work of the club is built exceptionally. Therefore, it is no coincidence that they dominated for 12 years. We will try to break their hegemony.
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