Europa League: They don't want us as an opponent in the draw – Kubatov

We asked Gábor Kubatov, who visited Nemzeti Sport on Thursday afternoon, about five topics. The president of Ferencváros was happy to answer our questions.

THE HUNGARIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE (NB I)

–  The team has an eight-point advantage, although it has played two games less. Is it the reality that Ferencváros is that much stronger than its rivals?  
– In case you're implying that, let me make it clear quickly, we don't think we've outgrown NB I. All our games were extremely difficult, we often fought hard to win. But the fact that we got this far is no coincidence; we have been improving over the last ten years, always wanting to be better. We were never satisfied with the results we achieved. And that hasn't changed since then, there's always room for improvement.

– People often ask: wouldn't it be better if there were one or two really strong rivals in the league that could make Fradi's life more difficult?
– The answer is yes, it would be good for everyone! It would also be important for us to have more teams like us that are successful on the international stage too, going two, three rounds or more in various tournaments. I also dream of starting a Central European Cup in the future, in which, in addition to the Hungarian champions, the Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian, Slovakian, Czech, and Romanian champions would all participate. Once the national leagues' seasons are over, there would be time for that, and in such a series, we could play real prestige matches against Dinamo Zagreb, Slovan Bratislava, Plzen, Slavia Praha or even Partizan and Crvena zvezda.

– Is there a chance of this in the near future?     
– The European federation seems open to such a series of competitions. We think there would be a lot of advantages. To name just one of many, it also matters for sponsors whether they are entering a market of ten million or forty-five million people. And we haven't even mentioned the emotional matches, which I think would be of huge interest to many.

– Adama Traoré was the best player of the fall in NB I according to our ratings. Can we say that he was a jackpot? Will he leave in the winter?     
– He is a jackpot! He's a great footballer, and there's more to him than that. I want to reassure everyone that we'll see him in the green and white jersey.

THE EUROPA LEAGUE

– Which opponent shall come in the spring: Manchester United or Barcelona? Or perhaps Juventus or AS Roma?     
– It doesn't really matter to me. There are no easy opponents at this level. If you want to become a big boy, you have to be a top performer. There's never been a time in international football when someone has sneaked in through the side door and made a miracle.

– Was it more financially rewarding to be so successful in the Europa League than to be knocked out of the group stage of the Champions League?     
– It is a difficult or rather complex question. The Champions League would still be more worth it financially, of course. But in the Europa League, we are now achieving a level of success that compensates us a lot and, in time, may make up for the lower remuneration we receive in the Champions League.

– Is Ferencváros looked at differently in Europe now?     
– I've noticed that they don't want us as an opponent in the draw anymore. And that feels good. Interesting things are happening in Europe, football in many countries is falling to its knees, like Italy, Spain or Portugal. This could even work to our advantage. We are delighted to win the group, which is a great achievement because we are the club with the smallest budget in this field. The team directly before us has thirty percent more money than us. And Barcelona has twenty times our budget to work with.

– Will you stay at the Groupama Aréna for the spring game or could you move to the Puskás Aréna?     
– We have decided to move to the Puskás Aréna. We have sent our request for a change of venue to UEFA. It was a difficult decision because the Groupama Aréna is our home, with an extraordinary atmosphere and the spectators are close to the pitch. But we spoke to our fans, we asked the professional staff and the players, and everyone said it was fine to go to the national stadium.

THE TRANSFERS

– Tunisia's Aïssa Laïdouni played brilliantly at the World Cup in Qatar. How many teams were interested in him?     
– There have been many, but we have not yet received any firm offer. But I am sure one will arrive. He played at a very high level at the World Cup and if we receive an offer that is worth considering, we are open to negotiation. We have to find the right balance in this as well, if we can sell someone for good money, we can benefit more. On the one hand, we can bring in new footballers from the revenue, and on the other hand, the players with good reputations can see that Ferencváros has a lot to provide too.

– Is the ten-million-euro purchase price for Aïssa Laïdouni real?     
– He is a footballer good enough to be worth even that much money.

– For the future, would a big bang like this make a difference to the club?  
– It would be important both prestigiously and financially, yes. If we can sell someone for that kind of money, it could be encouraging for the future in terms of sales that benefit the club.

– Morocco, that reached the World Cup semis, can now really regret not taking Samy and Ryan Mmaee with them...
– It's a strange story. There's clearly a clout behind it, but we won't go into that now. They now have to sell themselves from here, from the Europa League, and they are both good enough footballers to do it. I'm telling you: we haven't had a striker as good as Ryan Mmaee for the past twenty-five years.

– Earlier, you spoke about the arrival of three or four players. Are any of them close to a deal?     
– We've got five or six irons in the fire, which doesn't mean that many are coming, but we have to prepare for every eventuality. Also, it improves our negotiating position if they see we have other options. We have Rasmus Thelander already leaving, and we need to bring in an infielder. Negotiations are ongoing, we'll see what the outcome is.

STANISLAV CHERCHESOV

– How big a role do you attribute to Stanislav Cherchesov in the fall success?     
– The lion's share is his, no question. We give him the opportunity to work in quality conditions, and from then on, it's up to him and the professional staff what they can achieve within the budget. Everyone can see what he has achieved with almost the same squad that Peter Stöger had to work with.

– With what has the trainer surprised you the most since you started working together?     
– But on a serious note, Stanislav Cherchesov is an open-minded, knowledgeable economist who is also extremely generous. From a professional point of view, he is easier to work with than Serhiy Rebrov.

– What do you think of Stanislav Cherchesov's statement at the Sport Hungary Forum that he feels obliged to include Hungarians in the team, even though he has not been given such a specific task?     
– We are happy about that, we are really looking for Hungarians. But we need Hungarian footballers who are better than Adama Traoré, Aïssa Laïdouni, Eldar Civic or even Tokmac Nguen, who are willing to compete with them. Fortunately, we have a few of these guys in our squad, to name just Endre Botka or Lóránd Pászka, but let's not forget Bálint Vécsei either.

THE HOLIDAYS

– How do you spend Christmas? Is football a topic at the festive table, or can you let loose a little?     
– We talk to Tamás Hajnal on the phone every day. One of the keys to Ferencváros' success on the international stage is that we always have to work harder than the richer clubs. But of course, there will be time for family, intimate dinners, and conversations.

– Is there going to be a Fradi storybook under the tree?     
– The truth is that I took it home to my two-year-old grandchild when it was published. The second one will be born in January, and the baby will get it then, as well as a Fradi season ticket. I took a photo of my first grandchild the day after being born, and I quickly got the fan card and bought the season ticket. Let's hope next year will be as successful as this one. And in the Europa League, we will strive to stop the trams on the boulevard, just as we did when the national team was successful in the European Championship.

Translated by Vanda Orosz