One of the most well liked and indeed successful managers in the Cambodian Premier League, Oleg Starynkyi could make history this season if he secures a third consecutive league title with Phnom Penh Crown.
BPVE went to talk to Oleg about how he ended up at Phnom Penh Crown, his hopes for the season, as well as how he would improve Cambodian football.
To read our club profile on Phnom Penh Crown click here
Oleg, what is your background and how did you end up head coach at Crown?
Oleg Starynskyi – I played lower level football back in Ukraine, before going out to Malaysia to play. Sadly my career was ended early due to injury. I ended up going back to Ukraine and getting my coaching badges before heading back to Malaysia.
I ended up the Malayaia Under 16’s coach, before I was offered a job here at Crown, initially as Under 18’s manager and assistant coach, before getting the top job. I am now in my second spell as head coach.
Can you make it three league titles in a row?
Oleg Starynskyi – Of course that is what everyones wants and this is what I am trying to instill in the players. I tell them lets make history. No other team has won the league three times in a row, nor retained the League Cup. So, currently we are among for victory in the League Cup.
Which teams are you looking out for this season?
Oleg Starynskyi – Svay Rieng are always a team to watch, particularly with their new signings. I also think Nagaworld could be dangerous particularly when they fill their foreign players quota. And of course there is always Visakha.
What Crown players should we look out for this coming season?
Oleg Starynskyi – We signed the midfielder Long Phearath from Svay Rieng and we expect him to be very influential. We also have a number of key players coming back from injury. I am also excited about our new academy players. I won’t single any out, but we will promote at least six and we expect them to see match time. We are very much a team that believe in youth and this has been a huge part of our recent success.
How can Cambodian football improve?
Oleg Starynskyi – I have said this for many years, but we need to invest in youth. There needs to be a reserve, or development league so young players can simply play more. I am happy to say that Phnom Penh Crown have been proactive with this regarding the Smart League (a new youth league partly organized by Phnom Penh Crown FC), but this really has to be arranged by the league.
Phnom Penh Crown continue their defense of the Legate Cup away to ISI this Saturday.
You can check out the Phnom Penh Crown Facebook page here.
This article is adapted from BPVE SPORT Cambodia, reported and edited from the great team – Cambodia Sports Review.
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