Trifon Panev on Ludogorets U14's championship furor: The club helps me develop my abilities, our wins are the result of diligence and talent

Mix one coach, one team, one ball on the field and the result is a remarkable furor for nearly four months of joint work. This is what the little Eagles from Ludogorets U14 and their head coach Trifon Panev can do. Together they have achieved exceptional results in every competition they have competed in – both in the Varna Zone championship and for the BFU Cup. They are number one everywhere and without competition, having proven their superiority in the battles over the past half-season.

And when the facts speak, even the gods are silent. Here is what the statistics show – 11 wins out of 11 matches played in Varna zone. The excellent indicator is additionally supported by the amazing goal difference – the children from Ludogorets U14 have scored 84 goals and have only allowed 8 hits into their own goal. Now they will welcome the Christmas holidays satisfied with the work done and with the privilege of wintering as the sole leaders in their group with a convincing lead of 33 points, a full 11 more than the second in the table. They constantly defend their admirable performance on the field, winning their victories with convincing results with 7-10 goals scored in the opponent's goal. Next year they will continue to the semi-finals of the BFU Cup, after they prevailed with an aggregate score of 6:1 over Slavia (Sofia) in the previous stage.

What, besides the basic ingredients, is needed for such an absolute success, we tried to find out from one of the main culprits for the team's stunning performance - its coach Trifon Panev. He joined the "nest" of the Eagles ambitious to achieve heights, and the enthusiasm and hard work have already launched his team to the championship heights.

11 wins from 11 matches played. Is losing a taboo subject for Ludogorets U14?

Considering the course of the season and the matches played – yes. But we don’t get dizzy and don’t take ourselves seriously, but we focus on looking better and better in terms of performance on the field, not only in terms of results. I am satisfied with what we have done, our results are quite good. In some matches we looked very good purely in terms of performance and in terms of completing the tasks, but there is still a lot to build on. That is why our focus is on improvement, not on what has been achieved so far. Only in this way will we continue to be so successful.

Our initial goal was to concede fewer goals, but the statistics are still good. Also, all 84 of our goals were scored by 16 different boys, which speaks of a good team and team, in which each player also contributes with their individual performance. We don’t rely on one or two players, but everyone can help the team.

You describe the current flawless statistics as "good", which suggests that you are a perfectionist...

I think I am. Or at least I want to be.

In view of the superiority demonstrated so far, is victory at all costs for your team?

For me, victory should not be at all costs at this age, the children of Ludogorets U14 are. But when they have potential, train well and are obviously more prepared than the opponent, why not seek and want victory. Ultimately, the best indicator that a child has done well and completed their tasks is the victory in the match. It is important in terms of self-confidence and motivation, so that they continue to train well.

How do you celebrate your team successes?

Differently, most of the time the joy is purely childish - with shouting, songs, jumping in the locker room. Other times they receive incentives such as forbidden things - cakes, treats, especially cakes!

How are champions built on the field? What is the recipe?

Of utmost importance is the work, the effort that the children, the coaching team and everyone in the club who takes care of the boys. On the other side are the potential and talent. I have always been of the opinion that neither talent alone can succeed, nor training alone. It is impossible without either of the two. Last but not least, discipline and self-control must be added, which the children strive to improve.

You joined the ranks of the Ludogorets Academy in the summer and in half a season you achieved remarkable results with the children under 14. Did you expect such admirable success in such a short time?

I dreamed of doing it this way – as well as possible and fulfilling all the tasks that the Ludogorets management set for us. Accordingly, to pursue our personal goals as a team and squad.

What do the successes achieved in the Varna Zone championship and the BFU Cup mean to you personally?

It is positive, I am pleased, because when I joined Ludogorets, I said that the most important thing is to build a good team, a team, relationships between the players. This is mandatory for achieving victories. In many of the matches, you can see exactly this mutual assistance between the children, you can see the team and the team spirit in us. At the same time, the boys are also improving their individual level, standing out on the field, which means that for now we are fulfilling our goals.

When you joined Ludogorets, you said that you had set high goals for the children in order to prepare them for entering the Elite groups. After more than four months of working together and the victories achieved, how do you assess your personal development so far?

Just as the children improve with each passing match and training session, I also have the opportunity to learn from the people in the club who have more experience than me – colleagues, directors and the school management. I learn from them, they help me, give me extremely useful guidance and advice. Since I've been at Ludogorets I feel more prepared, more confident and have developed my own abilities.

Are you a strict coach?

I don't think I am, but if you ask the kids you might get a different answer, I don't know.

Where is the line between official communication and friendship with young players?

In my opinion, the individual approach is extremely important at their age. I already know them quite well – with some the remark has a good effect, with others – not. The key at this age lies in the individuality – to approach each player according to his needs. There are general rules for the team, but if we want to get the best out of each boy, we need to approach each one individually – be it criticism or praise.

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

Our performance was very good, but we left the loophole to not say excellent now, but in the second half of the season. Now we have fulfilled our first goals – creating a collective, a strong team, developing individuals. The first half-season was a big step, which gives us the opportunity to continue pursuing our long-term goals and to be much more motivated, driven and even impatient to wait for the next challenges.

With what attitudes do you head into the winter training?

We want to continue to improve as a team. Our goal will be to improve the analyzed gaps so that we look even better, the results continue to be positive, and our game performance is what we want. Every child continues to develop, so that in addition to a good team, we have players at the highest level.

During the winter training, which starts on January 6, we will plan control matches, as our desire is to face international teams, and not only those from the championship. The preparation will also be focused on the semi-final of the BFU Cup. Our participation in an international tournament in Greece has also been confirmed.

The attraction of new high-level players continues, which will increase the competition in the team, because a large part of our success is due to it. So that every player knows that they have to give it their all, otherwise someone else is waiting for their place. From the second half of the season, two boys from Spartak (Pleven) and Spartak (Varna) will train with us, who impressed us during our matches, and other players are waiting for trials.

What message would you send to your little Eagles?

To continue working hard, because their potential and talent are visible and the results show it. I congratulate them, they are doing well. But they should not forget that all the things we dream of and fight for are still ahead of us. Our development so far is a big step in the right direction, but it is the very beginning and any relaxation will set us back. We do not want something like that, so my wish is for them to show their previous high level. To know that if the hard work leads to success, then we must continue to do the same and even better.

Where do you see the team at the end of the season?

I hope that we will be in first place in the championship, where we are currently, as well as to win the BFU Cup. And each child individually to improve their performance and reach the maximum of their capabilities, which is extremely important to me.

We leave Trifon Panev and his little Eagles on the field, where they practice their football talents in order to be even more convincing in their performance. From mid-December, a well-deserved break awaits them, in which they can indulge in Christmas magic. And after the magic of the holidays, the miracles will continue, but created by them themselves.