Poget: “My stay in the national team depends on the Euro – I want to go all the way to the World Cup”

His intention to renew with the National Team for two more years was expressed by Gustavo Pogetspeaking in Spanish “AS”.

The coach of the “blue and white” analyzed his thoughts on whether he will be offered a new contract, stressing that it will probably be decided by whether he manages to lead the team to the Euro.

At the same time, he mentioned the cases of the Costas FortuneVangelis PavlidisTasso Douvika and Kostas Chimikawhile he also talked about his presence in the National Team so far.

In detail, what he said:

Two years in Greece. How has it been?

“Very well. If you had asked me two years ago it would have been very difficult for me to answer. I’m still adapting and learning. It was necessary to find a strong group of footballers with whom we quickly connected and identified. We started to improve and win. Now the most difficult part remains, qualifying for the Euro. We had a tough group with France and Holland and we did well. We were there until the end. This pushes us significantly in the psychological field ahead of the play offs”.

The beginning in Greece was not easy.

“Greece lived an unforgettable moment in 2004 with the conquest of the Euro. Then he stood well for the next ten years and was in all the major competitions. From 2014 onwards, however, the decline followed. Many changes have been made. We found this situation and decided to “isolate”. I had set two goals. To top the Nations League group and get our people back on the pitch.

Do you see yourself in the Euro and in the premiere with Turkey?

“We have analyzed Kazakhstan, Luxembourg and Georgia a lot and we will look for later… We know what the game against Turkey means. It will be great to face them for the first time in the Euros. For Greece, winning first place in the Nations League group was a minor title. Join the team with the world. I really like this connection. With two more wins we go to the Euros”.

Your contract with Greece ends on March 31st, what do you plan to do next?

“I’m a realist. In football when the contract of a player or coach who has indicated that he wants to continue ends, you normally offer him a new contract or even negotiate with him. I don’t want to say that they don’t love me, but in Greece they see the future differently. It’s an awkward moment for me, my coaching staff and my players. Is there a chance we qualify for the Euros and I’m not there?

Of course. There is, however, the other issue. If we qualify they will offer me a new contract and if not they won’t. I think the situation depends on the Euro. Time will tell. My idea is to renew for two years. Let’s go to the World Cup. Imagine they renew your contract for a few months. I want to stay, I’m happy and I like the place here. I want to go to the Euro and the World Cup with Greece”.

You received a lot of criticism for the matter with Fortunis. What happened;

“Fortounis was injured when I went to Greece. I like to know the football players. I spoke to him and he came and tried but Fortunis performs better as a “10”. We don’t play with “10s” and that was the problem. Bakasetas is the closest thing we have in this position and he is my goalscorer. Fortounis is an excellent footballer, if I were at Olympiakos I would adjust the team around him. Later she made the decision to quit the National Team and I respected her. We spoke clearly, we said it in a very good atmosphere.”

For Pavlidis, Douvikas?

“Pavlidis reminds me of Benzema and I mean the way he moves on the pitch. Benzema is not an area forward, he likes to go out and Pavlidis follows the same pattern. I don’t know the amount Alkmaar is demanding but it could be a very good option for many teams. Douvikas is also an excellent footballer. Different from Pavlidis, more vertical in his game. He is a dream for every coach, he works very hard all the time. He’s always available, he’s never injured.”

Which player impressed you the most?

“There are many. In the first days I was impressed with Tsimika. I said “Wow that’s why he plays in Liverpool”. Bakasetas also has an excellent shot and often scores this way. Very special strikes with tremendous power. It offers you something that is not normal. Vlachodemos too. A great goalkeeper.”