Ouzounidis: “When changing coaches, you either change it from day 1 like Amorim at United or you don’t…”

Full of expletives, it was his first press conference Marino Ouzounidis as coach of Aris, after the 1-0 victory over Panserraikos in “Kleanthis Vikelidis” for the 15th matchday of the Stoiximan Super League.

The experienced Greek coach, after his victorious debut on the bench of Aris, answered many questions from the journalists, regarding the team’s playing situation and its psychology, he focused on what the Akis Manzios upon his departurewhile he also made a special reference to Ruben Amorim and Manchester United.

In detail:

To a question about the team’s appearance in the second half and the tactical changes he made, such as the change of side to Quique Saverio, he answered: “I have been in the team for a few days. I was trying to get information and talked to several players. You saw that Manu turned further back in the end. I wanted to talk to the guys to see what positions they could help with. Kike is a good player, he needs confidence and in general wingers need goals which so far they don’t have but they are necessary. It wasn’t just that Kike switched sides. We put a second time… When you win and what you do works out for you, you see everything well. The point is for the players to get to know me more. Right now I don’t know them 100%.”

He was asked about the risk posed by the replacement of Vladimir Darida: “You have to make some changes and they are tactical changes. Vladi missed some training sessions due to a problem and in the last five minutes of his presence he started to lose pace. He is a player who comes from the center and presses the area, which is what we want. I thought the team needed a second chance to capitalize on the opportunities.”

When asked if he can be optimistic based on what he has seen as well as whether the team can get certain constants, he said: “We have issues with injuries and cards. We have to look at it… Regardless of whether it is or not, we should not cause it. I always say that when you can’t change something, don’t worry about it because that makes you more nervous. We are optimistic. When you start something, you have a positive thought. For me, it’s more important to learn my players.”

Speaking in addition to issues he had to manage in the course of the match and the selection of Martin Montoya due to the absences of the Monchos, Sifuentes on the axis answered: “A lot happened during the match. Imagine your back hurts, you can’t walk., Darinda did a very good job and Montoya who I chose because he has more pace and had played in that position in the pre-season. I had it in my head that Darida might need a change. That’s why I ended up choosing Montoya.

In the first half we had a problem because we let the opponent start their attacks. In the second half we pushed higher and didn’t let him go. We need to look at these issues. We have to be more pressing on the opponent’s defensive line.”

In response to a question about whether he has reached the time it will take to complete your philosophy, he replied that… “The good thing is that we have good and smart players. I think we won’t need much time but first of all I have to learn my players completely. I might have something in mind and the players can’t. In the middle of the year, a coach has two options. One is to change everything. Amorim changed formation at United but it’s different there. Here, if you miss the games… good night. I am optimistic because I have experienced and good players. The first point I didn’t like was the issue of pressure up front”.

Marinos Ouzounidis was asked about the kind words he said about the team he took over and about Akis Manzios: “There’s no way I’m going to say something I don’t believe. I might say something you won’t like. Where is the team? Isn’t it high? So the coach did a good job. I have the experience and the performances to say it. I’ve been through this too. Don’t say things that happened fifty years ago. Akis is my friend, I appreciate him, he did a good job and the good must be said. And if there is something bad, there is no reason to say it.”