The World Cup has arrived and 32 teams are currently in Russia hoping that they’ll be lifting the famous gold trophy in just over a month’s time. Barring any more managerial changes, there are just 32 coaches with the chance to write their name into the history books and European Sport Media (ESM), of which MARCA is a member, spoke to every single one of them ahead of the tournament. Here, is what all 32 coaches at the World Cup had to say, group by group.
The Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov understands the pessimism of the fans ahead of the World Cup, but is keen to instil confidence. “It’s a consequence of our recent results, but we had to rebuild the team and our last games were against the biggest nations,” he said. “We wanted to prove ourselves and scepticism has inevitably grown because we didn’t win any.”Cherchesov also said he was not worried about the injuries.”I was forced to change my plans due to injuries, but I do not care,” he said.”Football without injuries is not football.”
Juan Antonio Pizzi is clear about what Saudi Arabia need to advance from the group stage.”Serious motivation, organisation and sacrifice,” are three of the qualities he wants to see from his team.” We must impose ourselves on our opponents.”The first match against Russia will be difficult, but it will motivate us knowing how many people are watching.”We have to use the emotional side of [playing in the inaugural match of the World Cup] to make sure that the kids arrive at the match in the right frame of mind.” Pizzi also highlighted the quality of some of his players, with three players having arrived in LaLiga on loan in January. “Yahya al Shehri, Salem al Dawsari and Fahad al Muwallad,” said the Argentine when asked about who could make an impact. “These three players have a level that is close to the Spanish league.”
The Egyptian coach Hector Cuper acknowledged that one of his side’s strongest attributes is the unity of the team.” Let’s talk about the collective, not the individual,” said Cuper. “Throughout our time together, our belief has been that unity is strength. “Every member of the national team deserves this success and so does the public, who have always supported us.”The former Mallorca and Valencia coach also spoke about Mohamed Salah, who is the clear star of the Egyptian national team.”He listens a lot, despite being a very important player for the team,” said Cuper.” But behind every great player is the team. “No player can do everything. “We have a team that supports, maintains and helps, like him, and he contributes a lot.
Oscar Tabarez discussed Uruguay’s group and is wary of the threat the other teams pose.”It bothers me when people say that we are in an easy group,” he said.”I know the World Cup, and the margin between winning and losing is very small. “There are always surprises, as football is full of great feats. “Look at the wonderful example of Iceland’s team [at the European Championships].”On the other hand, the 71-year-old is optimistic about his team’s chances. “I have a feeling that we are going to have a very good World Cup,” he stated. “Now we play better as a collective. “We have incorporated some young people in the centre of the field who have given us a more possession-based game.
The Portuguese head coach Fernando Santos is clear that the World Cup will be much tougher than the European Championships.”In Euro 2016, there was no Brazil, Argentina, Colombia or Uruguay,” he said.”Let’s be honest, we’re candidates, but not favourites.” The 63-year-old sees his country among the best in Russia’s World Cup 2018, but he knows that there are elite squads at this tournament.”We always play good football,” he continued.”Who doesn’t play well loses, but sometimes playing well is not beautiful.”After failing to make it out of the group stage at the Brazil World Cup in 2014, Santos will be looking to replicate the performances that saw Portugal win Euro 2016 in France.
Fernando Hierro took over from Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament and the former Real Madrid legend emphasized the strength of the Spain squad.”They are great professionals who are mature and responsible,” said Hierro. “If I doubted that we could have a good World Cup, I wouldn’t be here. “They are excited about this challenge, like all Spaniards. “We have to get the hunger back now. “The team’s going to stay the same as it is. “I have told them that we have an exciting challenge ahead of us.
The head coach of Morocco is Herve Renard and he believes that his team have a good mix of players in the squad and that they are confident.”Morocco has a mix of young and very experienced players, it’s a good mix,” he said.”We’re not afraid of anyone.”However, the 49-year-old Frenchman is sensible.”We are not the favourites, but when you have the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup, I always say that we do not go [there] to take photos,” said Renard.”We have to go with the idea that we can make history.”To have a good performance in Russia, the Moroccan coach is clear on what he needs.”Almost every day I repeat two words: team spirit,” he said.”That’s the most important thing to me.
Carlos Queiroz arrives at the World Cup with Iran after having had a fantastic qualifying campaign, finishing first and going undefeated.This will be the second World Cup of the 65-year-old’s career after he coached his home country, Portugal, in 2010, a team he compared to his current squad.”That [Portugal] team was mature, experienced and great,” he said. “This squad is more electric, enthusiastic and risky.”Queiroz is clear about who he considers to be the favourites for the competition. “Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Spain, France and Portugal are all serious candidates.
Didier Deschamps has a plethora of options in attack, with multiple players who can change a game from the bench.”I like to have at least two players for each position, and not always the same type of player,” he said.”Mbappe and Martial can play as No 9s. “Ousmane Dembele and Thomas Lemar can play as wingers or in the middle.” “I will not complain about the fact that I have many players who can play in different positions.”The French coach also showed his sadness at Laurent Koscielny’s absence through injury.”I’m sad for him because he was very excited about this tournament,” said Deschamps. “It would have been a great moment in his career.”
Bert Van Marwijk is very clear about the objective and focus of this tournament for Australia.”Only one thing counts, which is passing the group phase,” he said. “I don’t think beyond that. “I’m not thinking beyond the opening game against France.”I don’t even want to talk about the second or third game. “That first game is key and everyone should focus on it. “Everyone will have to give their all to survive the group phase.”The Dutchman left the national team of Saudi Arabia in 2017 because of differing points of view. “If it cannot happen my way, then I will not continue,” said Van Marwijk. “That was actually the only reason for my departure.”
Peru: Ricardo Gareca
With a winning mentality, Ricardo Gareca, the coach of Peru, is going to the World Cup to battle. “We are not going to the world to participate, we will compete,” he said.”We can be a very competitive team. “We have to go out and win. “For our history and the people who follow us.”This is Peru’s first time at the World Cup in 36 years and he has revealed that this is a mentally strong side.”This is a team that does not lose hope in the moments when we are being dominated,” he continued.”It is a process of continuous maturation. “But surely one of the things we need most is to be more consistent in the whole game. “Peru have a style and a lot of history.”
Denmark: Age Hareide
Age Hareide appeals to the experience of his squad, while there are also some young players in the Denmark team.”Denmark has a strong backbone with [Kaspar] Schmeichel, [Simon] Kjaer, [Christian] Eriksen and people up like [Nicolai] Jorgensen, [Yussuf] Poulsen and [Andreas] Cornelius,” he said.”The good news is that we have many young people, players who have grown up abroad. “Only [Frederik] Ronnow, [William] Kvist and [Viktor] Fischer play in the Danish league. “The rest are in the big leagues. “Our players can make our squad stronger through their teams.”The coach believes that in Russia will see a lot of attacking.”We will see attacking football again, something that was not seen in the European Championship,” he predicted.
One of the most demanding jobs in the World Cup has to be that of Jorge Sampaoli due to the presence of Lionel Messi.”It is impossible to teach him anything,” he said. “We are at a point where he is untouchable. “The team has to understand and produce the game in which he feels more comfortable. “Players like him appear once every century.”The Argentina head coach is opting for a four-man defence, rather than three.”[We will use] four defenders, instead of the three-man defence we were using,” he stated. “With two full-backs and two centre-backs, it allows us more flexibility. “Messi is very important to our chances in this World Cup.”
Iceland: Heimir Hallgrimsson
Iceland are the team that have the most admiration due to their fans and their squad, with Heimir Hallgrimsson realising their limitations.”[We have] a philosophy of how to play football, whether to be a long ball team or play tiki-taka,” he said.”It all depends on your players, who you have in front of you and your strength.”Iceland will once again rely on their fans.”We will continue to join them,” he said. “There is great respect between the fans, the players and the technical staff. “Some will think it is a ridiculous thing, but being a small country sometimes has its advantages. “There’s only one rule, you can’t record anything or take pictures.”
Croatia: Zlatko Dalic
Zlatko Dalic is hoping his squad will be filled with national pride in Russia. “The national team is important for all Croatian players and for our country, so we all make an extra effort in these tournaments,” he said.He also discussed the fact they have been drawn into what many consider the group of death. “There is Argentina, one of the best, plus Iceland, who beat us in qualifying,” he said.”Nigeria are very ambitious and, of course, we are too.”We are aware of our quality and, with all due respect, our goal is to make the second phase.”
Nigeria are the youngest team in the tournament and coach Gernot Rohr thinks there is no limit to what they can achieve. “Our young squad have a challenge for the future, starting with the World Cup,” he said. “It is a very important stage to learn, grow and mature. “Being the youngest means inexperience and the possibility of making mistakes, but enthusiasm and our physical condition can make up for that.”
As one of the favourites, Brazil coach Tite is aware of the expectations.Neymar is expected to do well, but Tite wanted to stress the importance of teamwork.”The expectation around him is inhumane and should be distributed among the whole team,” Tite said. “I don’t think we have any dependence on him. “The group is our greatest strength.”
Switzerland: Vladimir Petkovic
The FIFA ranking places Switzerland in the sixth position and coach Vladmir Petkovic is proud of that.”It is recognition for our development,” he said. “The recipe is simple: we focus on each match and consider the upcoming opponent as the hardest.”We never take the second step before we have taken the first one.”Looking at the group, he is glad to face favourites Brazil first.”It is good that we start with Brazil,” he explained.”They are one of the favourites to win the title, but once we get rid of the match against the Brazilians we can focus more on the other two rivals, who will also be difficult. “I never sign up for a defeat, though, I always think of winning.”
Costa Rica: Oscar Ramirez
Costa Rica’s preparation has been mixed, but Oscar Ramirez isn’t worried.”The last World Cup was a wonderful time, we want to repeat that,” he said. “It was a big surprise for football, but not so much for those who had seen us qualify. “Now it’ll be more difficult because the teams will no longer be so confident against us.”
Serbia: Mladen Krstajic
Serbia didn’t make Euro 2016, but they’re on an upward trajectory and Mladen Krstajic is proud.”We feel pride at being at the World Cup,” he stated.”I hope we give our best in Russia and play well in all the matches. “We have to be bold, with strong character and courage. “We will play against teams that are better ranked than us in the FIFA rankings.”
For the current champions, there is a sense of responsibility as they travel to Russia and Joachim Low feels it. He believes it’ll be even tougher to retain the title.”Our team has to play better than in 2014,” he said. “What is obvious, despite the experience we have gained over time, is that we have to keep progressing.”He left out Leroy Sane, which shocked many, but this may have been because he is keen to build good chemistry.”I don’t only want extraordinary footballers, but also people who put the group above anything else,” Low said.
Mexico: Juan Carlos Osorio
For Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio, it is a positive to have Germany in the same group.”I’m proud to be able to compete against the best,” he stated. “We met Germany at the Confederations Cup and we didn’t have the whole team. “Now we do. “The World Cup is a good opportunity to see how good we are.”Mexico have often fallen short at the last 16 and there is a sense that there might be a curse, but Osorio is still dreaming.”Getting to the later rounds, to the semi-finals for example, is very difficult, but we have the same right as everyone to dream,” he said.
Sweden: Janne Andersson
Janne Anderson is overseeing the post-Zlatan era for the Swedish national team and he believes team chemistry can be better without the superstar striker. “I always start working with players as human beings, as people,” Anderson explained.”I know that football players are also human beings, so we have also thought about how we want to interact off the field, what kind of culture we want, how we act with journalists, fans and the Swedish people. “And after that, you have to play.”
South Korea: Tae-Yong Shin
South Korea have regularly made it to the World Cup and it’ll be difficult to escape their group, something coach Shin Tae-Yong is aware of. “We’ll first focus on the matches against Sweden and Mexico, then the Germany one will come in time,” he said.
Belgium: Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez is the man tasked with making Belgium’s great players into a functioning team.He believes they are now good enough to take on anyone and to go far.”We are very good with the ball,” he said. “We can look into the eyes of any other national team and I feel like they’re already afraid of us.”We have built a philosophy for our game. “The important thing for me is to have a balanced team and be able to exploit the talent of [Eden] Hazard, [Kevin] De Bruyne, [Dries] Mertens or [Romelu] Lukaku.”
Panama: Herman Gomez
Panama have come a long way under Hernan Dario Perez and are preparing for their first World Cup. “We are a more mature team than four years ago,” he said, referring to the previous unsuccessful campaign to reach the World Cup.”We have formed a family between the players, the coaches and the directors of the federation.”I believe in the concept of group work and good players.”I don’t see young or old, I see good players.”
Tunisia: Nabil Maaloul
Tunisia showed against Spain that they have a competitive team, one that Nabil Maaloul can be proud of. “Here the important thing is the cohesion of the group and discipline,” the coach stated. “That’s the most important thing. “We have players competing in different competitions. “We want to be one and that is achieved if we all strive the same way.”I am confident in our chances.”
Gareth Southgate is remaining realistic when analysing England’s chances in Russia.”England are ranked 13th in the world, so we are not Brazil or Germany,” he pointed out.Despite that realism, he remains ambitious.”I want to surprise people and we are capable of doing that,” he said.
Poland: Adam Nawalka
Adam Nawalka has experience of representing Poland at the World Cup, having been a player in 1978, and now he coaches the side 40 years later.”Defending your country is beautiful,” he recalls. “I did it as a player and now will do so as a coach.”It is worth living to enjoy these moments. “We can make our dreams come true, even if we are a team in development.”
Senegal: Aliou Cisse
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse is aware that Senegal must play well at both ends of the pitch to escape an interesting group, which also features Colombia, Japan and Poland.”In Africa, we are getting tougher, and I’m not talking about the physical aspect but mental toughness,” he said. “I believe in the balance of teams. “I don’t seek possession of a still ball. “I like the game to progress and to cause doubts for the opponent, while attacking and scoring goals. “My philosophy is to have a good mix.”
Colombia: Jose Pekerman
Colombia have had consistency at the coaching position for some time, with Jose Pekerman in charge since 2012.This means he knows his team inside-out and he has been able to build trust with certain players at the same time as bringing in fresh faces.”We’ll do things right,” Pekerman said. “I have always believed in giving young people a chance and in the progress of a team. “The qualification has given us a lot of confidence and, in addition to the new younger players, we even have Radamel Falcao this time, as he wasn’t there in 2014.”
Japan: Akira Nishino
Akira Nishino has only recently taken over the Japan team, but he is not fazed by the challenge ahead of him.”I have to change things up after two years of the players having another mind-set,” he said.”The strength of the Japanese football is in the group. “That means continuity and playing a type of game where we connect with each other.”