Adrian Scarlatache: “My child will have Azerbaijani citizenship”- INTERVIEW

Baku. 10 October. REPORT.AZ/ Interview with Romanian footballer Adrian Scarlatache… 

"I feel happy in Azerbaijan"

- You live in Azerbaijan for a long time and play football here. Are there special reasons that attract you to this country?

- Yes, in total I'm here for about 7.5 years. For the first time in 2011 when I came to Azerbaijan, I played in "Khazar Lankaran". At that time, I did not know much about Azerbaijan, Mircea Rednic worked as a head coach of "Khazar Lankaran". He called me and told that he wanted to see me in Lankaran. And I agreed. Because back in 2007, I participated in Romanian championship with Rednic within Bucharest “Dinamo”. At that time I was young. I feel happy in Azerbaijan and therefore, I am here for a long time.

- Do you want to live in Azerbaijan once and for all?

- Based on my current situation, it is difficult. Because apart from my wife, all my family members are in Romania now. We are expecting a baby in a month. Perhaps, he will have an Azerbaijani citizenship. I will definitely travel here after the end of my contract. Because I have many friends and teammates in Azerbaijan.

- Do you have an ideal in football?

- No, I don’t. I'm just a fan of Real Madrid. 

- What about Gheorghe Hagi? 

Hagi is currently one of Romania's best coaches. He was a fantastic player in the past. I have contacted him several times. A while ago, Hagi called me and said he wanted to bring César Meza Colli to the Viitorul Constanța FC, where he was the chief coach.

- The bigger part of your career is associated with "Khazar Lankaran". What would you like to say about these clubs and fans?

- I played 4.5 years in "Khazar Lankaran" and I was very happy there. The fans loved me. But for some reasons the club stopped working. I had a very good relationship with the club president. Unfortunately, I do not keep in touch with him. Khazar Lankaran had a very good stadium and fans. Lankaran fans are the number one fan group in Azerbaijan.

- How would you assess the current state of "Zira"?

- Our current situation is not so good. But we have a new head coach and a new style of playing. We also need several new players.

- You are 32 years old. Do you think about ending your career?

- No, I had no such thoughts. I feel very well and will not think about ending my career if this keeps going, When I lose this rhythm, I will decide to leave football. I know players who even do not play well at the age of 34-35, but still continue their career. In my opinion, this affects both the player's career and the image. As for me I want to play for 3-4 years.

- What would you like to do after finishing your career?

- I would like to be a coach. So, in my spare time, I watch matches with coach's eyes as well.

- Which club do you plan to choose?

- I would like to be the head coach of Bucharest Dinamo. Because "Dinamo" was my first club.

Hamid HAMIDOV