"There is a generational change at Dynamo, and it is important to carefully inject fresh blood"

In late April, Dynamo Moscow hockey announced the appointment of Leonid Tambiev as the team's head coach. A specialist who has worked successfully at Admiral is able to achieve results even in the most difficult situations. But will such methods work in a top team that sets a goal to win the Gagarin Cup every season? Tambiev is a strict coach who requires all players to perform their game tasks accurately. Many people remember that one day a specialist gathered the entire team on January 1 and forced them to run with balloons. Will such methods work with the top players of the blue and white? Leonid Tambiev spoke about his methods of work and the details of the invitation to the top club in an interview with Izvestia and Sport-Express.

"There is a generational change at Dynamo, and it is important to carefully inject fresh blood"

— What is the strangest or most ridiculous information that caught your eye immediately after the appointment?

— I try not to read or watch social media at all. But it still appears in the media. I was still finalizing my contract at SKA, and guys like Kolya Goldobin and others came up to me and said that Ozhiganov, Sergeev and others were supposedly leaving Dynamo. It is clear that this is all gossip and rumors. I can reassure everyone: Igor, Artyom, and I had a good conversation, they are the combat units of our team. But it is unpleasant to see such stuffing that allegedly Tambiev expels half the team and recruits players from Admiral.

— Is this not true?

- yes. And I must say right away that I don't invite anyone from Admiral to Dynamo, and I haven't talked to anyone about this topic. It is clear that we will have to build the team from scratch to some extent. At the same time, all the key Dynamo players, starting with Pylenkov, Ozhiganov, Sergeev and Podyapolsky, remain. They have valid contracts. I have great respect for these guys and am ready to work with them. They are the leaders of Dynamo last season.

— Have you already had personal communication with the players?

— So far I've called our Russian guys. We talked to everyone, discussed some points, nuances, details.

— It is clear that not everything depends on you, but Nikita Gusev is currently without a contract. Are you planning to communicate with him?

— Yes, there will definitely be a conversation with Nikita. First of all, we need to understand if he has a desire to stay at Dynamo. I want to discuss with him right away what role I see for him in the team and whether he is ready for it.

Now Dynamo is undergoing a generational change, and it is important to carefully inject fresh blood. At the same time, it is important for me that experienced players be an example for the young in terms of attitude and hockey ethics. Veterans help them grow and feel confident, and there is no need to pressure the younger generation on every occasion. Young people should look at their elders and learn from them.

— Have you discussed the future of Maxim Motorygin in the team?

— Yes, we've already talked and discussed it. Let's see what happens.

— If you go back a bit, how did your candidacy get approved, and do you understand why you were chosen?

— At first, there were probably preliminary negotiations. Viktor Voronin (president of HC Dynamo) called me. — Izvestia), offered to meet, and I came to Moscow. At the first meeting, we discussed a lot and exchanged views.

I prepared for the conversation, I had a definite concept. I did not discuss the work of the previous coaches, as it is an ethical issue. But I told you my vision of why Dynamo dropped out of the playoffs early and what needs to be done to make the team stronger. In particular, he noted that there were many players over 30 in the squad, and it was time for a generational change. But it needs to be done carefully, without prejudice to the result and taking into account the high level of league requirements.

Then another meeting took place. Then I was invited to a meeting of the board of directors, where the final decision was made — almost unanimously.

— How important was your work experience at Admiral and Dynamo St. Petersburg?

"I think it's both." I've been building a lot at Admiral for four years, and I've led the team to the playoffs twice. But, probably, the key role was played by the work at Dynamo St. Petersburg — three and a half years. There was a result, we won the title in the VHL, and this experience was not in vain.

— Didn't you cross paths there with people who are now involved in Dynamo Moscow, including Arkady Rotenberg?

— Yes, with many. This stage has really proved to be important in my current appointment.

— Do you plan to communicate with the previous coaches Alexey Kudashov and Vyacheslav Kozlov?

— There are not many people in our profession. Everyone knows each other, so we need to keep in touch with everyone. If we have the opportunity, we will definitely talk. I am well acquainted with the same Kudashov.

"I don't have any euphoria from the appointment"

— Do you understand how difficult it is to work at Dynamo?

— It's difficult to work everywhere in the KHL. I'm not afraid of it, and I understood where I was going and why. I'm not afraid of pressure, I know how I'm going to work and what to do. I understand roughly what kind of coaching staff I need and what kind of players. Dynamo, of course, has a better choice than I had before, and this is also important. In general, I have a clear understanding of how to organize my work.

— When you worked at Admiral, it was clear that you had a goal to get into a big club. Are there any things that need to be done right away at Dynamo?

— I don't have any euphoria from the appointment. I understand that there is a lot of work ahead. First of all, we need to assemble a strong coaching staff — this is the basis for future success.

Next is the selection. We need to sign motivated players. I will definitely give young people a chance. I'm already reviewing them, and I'll continue in May and July. I have a certain understanding of them, I watched their games in the MHL and in the VHL in the Dynamo system. The rejuvenation of the team will be careful, without prejudice to the result. We will also pay great attention to the functional training of the players.

— You used to work with simpler hockey players. There are established players here, with regalia.

— I've already had this experience in SKA. There are also many star players there, with their own opinions, with their own character — Goldobin, Plotnikov. And I have an understanding of how to work with them. It is important to act by personal example, with a normal attitude towards the guys, involve them in the process, and infect them with the idea of a result and victory. Then a normal working relationship is established.

— You used to be perceived as a tough, demanding coach. Will this approach change at Dynamo?

— We all change over time. Now I still have demands, but they are of a slightly different nature. I rely more on my charisma, on maximalism. There is a clear training process, there is a clear set of requirements. But it's important to explain to the players why and what we're doing. We need to build a dialogue.

— Do you understand that the approach that worked, for example, at Admiral cannot be applied directly here?

— Of course, I understand. A high-quality working dialogue and proper internal ethics are needed here. We need to involve the players, explain to them everything — why and why we are doing this. I'm ready to chew it out, explain it.

— Was the experience of working with star players like Goldobin a kind of adaptation stage?

— Not only Goldobin, there were many such guys there, Carpenters and others. All with character, with their own opinion. But I figured out how to build interaction with them.

— Were the players difficult to communicate with?

— I would not say that they are difficult. Everyone is normal. The question is how to arrange the work so that everyone brings maximum benefit to the team. It is important that there is no resentment, no toxicity, and a healthy working atmosphere. This is the task of the head coach and the staff. We must properly prepare the team for the season, so that the hockey players believe in the coach, in the system of play and the requirements. Because we're not just going out to shoot the puck, we're going out to win.

"I won't invite anyone from SKA to follow me."

— You have already mentioned the coaching staff, the names of Orekhovsky and Babenko were mentioned in the media.

— I can say specifically that Oleg Orekhovsky will work with the defenders. We had previously agreed on everything. At the same time, based on coaching ethics, I will not invite anyone from SKA to follow me. I know that the guys there have also received new offers from Igor Larionov. Even if I wanted to invite one of them, I won't do it. Firstly, out of respect for Larionov, and secondly, for ethical reasons. I will form my own staff and involve other specialists.

— Do you already have an understanding of the goalkeeper coach?

— We may announce it in the near future. We have a good candidate. We are currently collecting all the information on it.

— Did SKA calmly accept your promotion?

— Yes, absolutely calm and dignified. As soon as the Dynamo board of directors made a decision, I immediately called Igor Nikolaevich [Larionov]. We had an agreement that if there was an offer for the position of head coach, he would let me go. Larionov was genuinely happy for me, for which I thank him very much. I also called CEO Nikita Stenichkin and sports director Nikolai Feoktistov. Everyone reacted well to my decision.

Even after that, we met at the end of the SKA season and had a quiet chat. Moreover, I do not rule out that in the future there may be cooperation between Dynamo and SKA. Larionov and I have a good relationship. For example, an exchange of players is possible.

— There was an opinion that you and Larionov have different views on hockey. Did it interfere with the work?

— No, there was no conflict. In general, I am grateful to Igor Nikolaevich for the invitation to SKA. It was an important experience for me. Admiral has one group of players, SKA has a completely different level, a more stellar cast. But we immediately agreed on the principles of work. Larionov entrusted me with a part of the training process. I suggested a few things — new exercises, some changes, and he supported it.

There were moments when we introduced new elements into the training process together. In addition, I have worked individually with a number of experienced players, helping them with functional, tactical and technical training.

— So you didn't interfere with his gaming philosophy?

— No, it was his way, his concept. I didn't get into strategic things, but added details in training, in individual work with players, in nuances. I was given full carte blanche in these matters — I showed, explained, guided the guys.

— Was there any tension inside the headquarters?

— No, we had a very friendly coaching staff. Everyone had their own area of responsibility. I took my niche and worked in it. I can emphasize once again that Larionov and I have developed warm, friendly relations. We continue to communicate and call each other. I think we had a good tandem — we just didn't have much time to work together.

"I don't interfere in management processes"

— There was information that you were almost personally looking for a general manager or a sports director. It sounds strange, as if you posted ads on Avito and Headhunter.

— No, I'm not getting into this issue and I'm not going to. This is not my area of responsibility. Right now, the main thing for me is coaching.

— Are you not involved in the selection of candidates?

- no. It is clear that I talked every day with the general director of the club, Sergey Sushko, and I am aware of what is happening. But my first priority is to assemble a strong staff of physical training, defensive backs and other areas. At the same time, I am closely engaged in breeding and reviewing the players. Just yesterday I went and chose a place for Dynamo training camps. I am focused solely on my work. All the talk that I will interfere in management processes is just rumors.

— Is there no situation when candidates call you and offer themselves?

— No, that's not how it works. I do not interfere in these processes. The club structure has already been built without me. I understand what is needed for the result, and I don't get distracted by unnecessary things. There are basic things. The first is a strong coaching staff, the second is a high—quality selection. That's what I'm focused on. Of course, according to the selection, I will demand the maximum — ask, insist, in order to assemble a strong, combat-ready team.