Lucescu’s partner: “I work next to a top coach”

Nicolae Constantin gave his first impressions of his collaboration with Razvan Lucescu in an interview with the Romanian media. The direct partner of the technician of Dikefalus of the North spoke in the best words about the head of the team’s technical staff while he praised the fans of PAOK, declaring that he was impressed by them.

What he said in detail…

On whether he’s taking a step back in his career:

“Not at all. A big one ahead. I had the opportunity to be with one of the best coaches Romania has ever had and I have nothing but to gain from this experience. From all points of view.”



About the difference between what you did at Petrolul and what you do at PAOK?

“There I had to do a lot of things almost by myself, and here I am part of a whole, well-established system, where I have a clear main task and secondary ones. Razvan’s staff counts a coach with the goalkeepers, two trainers, plus two others who also help, two video analysts, two men who follow the opponents, a nutritionist, two doctors, three or four physiotherapists. We are a large and well organized team. The level of organization is maximum here.”



On whether it was a big change in his career:

“Honestly Yes. Over time, I realized that the only similarity between what is here and what is in Romania, not only in Petrolul, but also in other mid-level teams, is that football is always played 11 on 11. Otherwise, real professionalism is different. not what I, myself included, thought I was practicing at home. We’re a long way from what needs to be done, but it’s not necessarily our coaches’ fault.

In principle there are no conditions. A coach can be judged objectively when he has three basic conditions at his disposal: training base, salary and a balanced team. Any deviation from these three things means compromise that will eventually backfire. Another thing that almost all the coaches in Romania, myself included, did, more with the soul, but because we had no solutions. And that we all pay at some point.

On whether he is angry with Romanian football.

“Not at all. But I say what I think and as my eyes have been opened now, so maybe I can help others to know what things are really like in regular football. In Romania, coaches face many problems that are not related to what they should do. Here the player has everything at his disposal and only has to concentrate on football. If it doesn’t, it self-excludes. That’s the big difference.”



On whether he was surprised by Lucescu’s proposal:

“First of all he honored me. For me, being with Razvan Lucescu again is the most important school I can do. And not only do I not pay, I get paid for it. I hope to do my job as well as possible and stay by his side as long as possible.”



On whether he will stop looking for a team as a first coach:

“You don’t know what life throws at you, but my main goal right now is what I said. Anyway, I’ve never been a proud guy, I’ve done low-level jobs, I’ve been a manager and a second-in-command, my grade hasn’t dropped in any position, and I think I’ve at least left a good example wherever I’ve been.”



What impressed him the most about PAOK?

“The fans. It is something unimaginable. In the match against Eintracht, in the context of the Conference League, before the match, the manager could hardly move towards the pitch because of the people who had filled the road. I was at the window and when we passed a gas station, a boy who was filling up left the pump in the car tank and ran towards us. It amazes you, you realize how the players feel in moments like this. And here are footballers who were in Milan, Benfica, Porto, Dynamo Kyiv, Lazio. It’s something spectacular and super motivating. PAOK is one of the clubs recognized worldwide for the fanaticism of its fans.”



For his own task within the team:

“Organization of set-pieces, defensive and offensive phases. This is my main responsibility, but I, like the other colleagues, get involved in whatever is asked of us. I had my doubts at first, but I was lucky enough to join a technical team where everyone tries to help. This is normal, the main goal is to win. If we win, it’s good for me, it’s good for Razwan, it’s good for the players, the management, the fans, everyone. That’s why we play, to win. I don’t agree with that idea, that we played well but lost. Of course, such cases also happen, but a different mentality is formed with the victory”.



On whether he feels less pressure as a second coach:

“Clearly the main pressure is on Razwan’s shoulders, but the pressure is also on me and the rest of the staff. Don’t think that if something goes wrong I’m patting myself on the back with compassion. And I wouldn’t want that either. I prefer a kick in the ass to take a step forward. Lucescu is an extremely organized guy. With him, if something has to happen at x time at y position on the field, then it has to happen there too. Not at x plus ten seconds and at y plus one meter. I have pressure here too, there is no real professionalism without pressure.”



On the level of football in Greece compared to Romania:

“Clearly higher. Don’t worry, League 1 is years away. They play hard, the teams are tough, many foreigners and good players. I have nothing to compare with Romania. The players don’t care about the wages, there are enough big differences.”



For games every three days:

“It’s hard, but it’s beautiful. We have already played 17 games this season in three months and have only lost one. I played twice with a team from Israel and Croatia and Scotland, but also in Finland while we also went to Athens. They were demanding trips, but in excellent conditions. It’s not easy, but it’s motivating for everyone. What could you want more than to have matches with strong opponents and full stands? Play and win, most of the time. It’s really great, you feel a huge sense of satisfaction, it means you’re doing your job well and at the same time you’re always on the go.”