Slotsky: Ask Shenhua to speed up and not shrink. I feel like a 1970s rock star in China

Live broadcast bar, May 23 - Shenhua coach Slotsky, who won the monthly "best coach" title in March and April for two consecutive months, was interviewed by the CSL official and talked about a series of feelings of coaching in China.

——What do you think the team has focused on to achieve the current success?

Slotsky: Shanghai Shenhua is a big club in China and has won many honors in the past. I think what we have improved most today is that we want to become the best team in the league. To do this, we must play offensive football, dominate the offensive and defensive rhythm on the field, create more opportunities, improve the offensive efficiency, and speed up in the conversion of offensive and defensive. In addition, we should keep our defense stable and solid.

For me, the result is of course important, but more importantly, we should go to dominate the game. No matter what kind of opponent we face, even in the derby, or in the face of the powerful Shanghai Harbor, we should not shrink in half court defense. We should control the game and take the initiative to create opportunities. At the same time, we should give the players confidence and let them know that we can do it and have the ability to do it.

——In what aspects do you want young players to continue to work hard so that they can continue to improve and complete further breakthroughs?

Slotsky: I understand that the standards of young players are different. I think young players are 17-18 years old. But in the Chinese Super League, some people may think Zhu Chenjie, Jiang Shenglong, Dai Weijun, Xu Haoyang and Jin Shunkai are young players. But in my eyes, they are not young anymore. They are adult players of normal age. Liu Yujie, No. 39, is one of the young players in our team. He has just joined the first team and has been rented out to other clubs for training. He is only 20 years old, which is my different understanding of young players.

Like Zhu Chenjie and Jiang Shenglong, they are leaders of our team. I have high requirements for them. They cannot say that they are small players and cannot assume such responsibilities. They do not have such excuses. Maybe in the new system of the team, some players understand our tactical principles better and improve faster, while some players adapt more slowly, so the situation is different. Yang Zexiang, for example, is no longer a young player. He is 30 years old, but he can understand the tactical requirements of the team very well. He will improve quickly.

I don't take age and nationality as my criteria for selecting players. As long as the player can better understand and implement our tactical intentions in training, he can play. We only watch his performance on the court, not his age. For example, captain Wu Xi, who is a very competent leader on the field, has a full understanding of technical and tactical requirements. As long as his physical condition can be maintained, I will continue to let him play, no matter whether he is 35 or 53 years old.

——How do you feel the atmosphere of Shanghai, as well as the life and football culture different from those in Europe? What do you think is the difference between Shenhua fans and European fans?

Slotsky: As a football coach, I understand that it may only take one game from hero to zero. I am also very familiar with the characteristics of my work. However, as a coach in Shanghai Shenhua, I have received a high degree of attention that I have never experienced before. I have coached in England, the Netherlands and Russia. I am also famous as a coach. Many people in Europe may also know me, but I have received unprecedented attention and courtesy. When we stayed in the hotel, we felt like rock stars in the 1970s. Many fans would follow us.

To my great surprise, they often send me some photos, posters, and some small gifts on my birthday, which is a supreme courtesy. In my opinion, this is unusual. I value it very much and thank you very much for it.