The coach of the flawless Ludogorets U16, Milen Marinov: We improved our performance, we want to be the dominant ones!

We are raising the curtain on the “nest” of the Elite Eagles under 16 exactly two weeks after they achieved their 14th consecutive win out of 15 matches played during the autumn half-season. Their sustained success over the past months has secured them sole leadership in the Elite age group. Another recognition for the hard work and talent of the young players came after their remarkable participation in the Bulgarian youth national team. With the “tricolors” team, Yastiyan Georgiev and Nikolay Popov secured a 2:0 victory against Serbia.

Half a year ago, Milen Marinov and his little Eagles represented Ludogorets in the Elite Championship under 15. Today, these same boys are already competing in the championship with the U16 label. The same boys, but completely different personalities – because with each passing month they slowly and gradually break the shell so that a new Eagle is born. And how head coach Milen Marinov maintains the unerring path of the team entrusted to him with a view to the growth of his teenage players, he himself reveals in the following lines.

Your goals at the beginning of the season were to build on what was achieved with the team. To what extent have they been achieved today, nearly 4 months later?

We have greatly improved our performance compared to last season. The team looks better in terms of its gameplay, it is even more convincing. We managed to improve on the achievement from last half-season, when we won 13 out of 15 matches, and now we have won 14 matches and allowed only one draw. In a large percentage of the matches we were clearly the better team. In others we experienced slight fluctuations, but despite this our level remained high.

More important is the team's growth in terms of gameplay, which was also helped by the new additions, useful with individual qualities, as well as increasing competition and joint growth. The players perform the tasks set at a much higher level and as a result the game looks better. Mentally, the boys have also grown.

With what emotions and analyses did you send off the autumn half-season?

With positive attitudes, we are happiest with the good games demonstrated. Even the players themselves felt satisfaction on the field in most of the matches. This is important, because football should bring pleasure to the players and the audience. In many matches during the autumn half-season, it worked out.

What kind of team face do you want to see in the spring split?

I want us to improve with each passing day and each subsequent training session. I feel that the players are motivated to improve. That will be the goal – to refine our style of play and to be the dominant team on the field.

What would success mean to you in six months, at the end of the U16 Elite Championship?

As I tell the players – it doesn’t matter so much whether we cross the line and end up first, second or third. We all want it, but it’s just for extra self-confidence. The most important thing is that in time as many boys as possible will play football at the highest level possible, to earn a living by doing what they love. There is no greater reward!

The wins for your team are...

A reward for all the work we have put in during the week. They are also the result of the players’ growth – individually and as a team. Victories would be harder to achieve if a player does not improve. We work a lot on this with our colleagues Emilian Petrov, Valeri Venkov and the goalkeeper coach Dobrin Dobrev, with whom we are looking in the same direction. When the quality of one player increases, we look better as a team.

And how do you meet disappointments?

Even in bad moments, I emphasize the good, but even in our best matches I try to show the boys our bad moments. We take note of the weaker games, we learn our lessons from them. They are a consequence of underestimating what happened during the half-season and what should not happen. I teach the players that they must be one hundred percent concentrated and self-giving at every moment. This way they will create the necessary habits for men's football.

What stimulates you to continue on the successful path of team development?

The players themselves are a stimulus because they are a collection of strong characters and help each other. If they don't have this personal quality, it would be difficult to succeed, regardless of the efforts of the coaching team. To be successful, you need a number of qualities - not only purely football-related, but also human.

Your players are older, in their teens, what impact does this have?

At the end of the fall half-season, the boys are very different from the previous one. They are visibly growing up and are more aware, purposeful, responsible. We will continue to demand from them, because it is for their good. But working with them is both easier and more difficult. It is easier in the training process, but it is more complicated regarding constructive criticism, which some find more difficult to accept. That is why we hold many individual conversations with the players - so that everyone feels special and valued and understands that we are working for their good.

Do you apply punishments to teenage football players?

We always have them. During the past half-season, they decreased, because the work done with colleagues in the past has its impact and we can largely trust the boys.

Do you care about the good educational results of the players, who are also high school students? Why is education valuable for the development of a football player?

We have many students in elite high schools in Razgrad. For example, at the Sports School, every morning a player from the team informs me that everyone has arrived at class on time. We communicate with class teachers and school principals. For me, football and education should go hand in hand, you cannot rely on just one. Education is valuable because it also helps on the field. When you are a good student and your mind works, you make decisions faster, which is one of the most important characteristics of modern football.

What message would you send to your Eagles?

To be even more purposeful and goal-oriented during the new half-season. To be firmly on the ground at all times. And to work hard, because there is no unrewarded work!