Ivan: "I leave with a full heart"

Ivan Jovanovic in his last press conference stated that the fatigue and the change of his role in the team over the years, were the main reasons that led him to the difficult decision to leave the technical leadership of APOEL.

In his initial statement, he said: "I'm definitely excited, I can not hide it. I will start first with the two games left, although the team secured the championship. We have to treat these games like everyone else. In both games our goal is to win. We will deal with them in the best possible way. We have to be serious until the end and because we won the championship and to be fair to all the teams ".

To win the title, he stated: "The team won the championship fairly and with dignity. Maybe during the year there were many who doubted, but they forgot an important thing. This concerns the background of this team that either won the championship or claimed it until the end. I read several comments about how APOEL won the championship. I tell you that the main reason he won the championship is exactly what he represents, what he has built in recent years, a strong team and the special weight of the jersey. Second, in terms of competition, it was stronger than in previous years. For me this year was the most competitive championship of recent years. And even though we had a lot of problems, we managed to stay in the battle and win it ".

For the reasons that led him to the decision to leave APOEL, he said: "One thing is definitely fatigue. You know, fatigue is not just about the process of a racing season. From the day the tournament ends, the next day he is in the office from six in the morning until six in the afternoon and then continues his work at home until late at night. Because from where the championship stops, after two months you have obligations in Europe. There is definitely excitement in the beginning. Later this enthusiasm and with the successes I would say that we had passed into an obligation, the responsibilities increase. When responsibilities increase, so does the pressure on the job you have to do.

The second reason is my position at APOEL. The role of the coach is the most basic. When he tries to stay focused, he realizes that somewhere, no matter how hard he tries, he finds it difficult to do so. And during this year I saw myself deviating from my original positions. I also told my footballers. At one point or another I was a coach who was not trying to teach my players, but I was looking at the end of the year. We went from game to game with only the thought that we have to win. This happened another year, when we played with Wisla. So, when one realizes that one's role is changing, it is better to leave at that moment and not become a vicious circle. These are the real reasons and there is no one else. "

Then he thanked everyone: "Thank God I leave this team with a full heart. I am always grateful for what the team has given me in these 5,5 years. I want to thank Mr. Zivanaris who gave me the opportunity to work in this team and Mr. Erotokritou and in general the administration for the cooperation we had and everything we have achieved over the years. I also want to thank all my footballers all these years. I want to thank my team and especially the team manager George Savvidis. I want to thank the APOEL fans for the tolerance they have had for me all these years. But we had a great time. Now I believe that APOEL is the most popular team, with the most fans. I want to thank them because they never left the team alone. I also want to thank my family. "Especially with my children, I did not have that much time to deal with them."

For his replacement on the APOEL bench, he stated: "I want to say something from the bottom of my heart. It would not be fair for anyone to wait for the new coach and start comparing it to what it was 5,5 years ago. APOEL has built something and it will be just a continuation. This man who will come here must have a lot of support and possibly a lot more opportunities than they could have had for me. He must have confidence in his face from the beginning, time must work. Do not forget that when I came to APOEL I was somehow looking for myself in the coaching staff. I did not come here as a well-known coach with experience. And we managed to achieve many things in 5,5 years. Therefore, it is very important that whoever is selected by the team management, be given time and trust ".

Regarding the derby with Omonia, he said: "My footballers must know from the side of the fans what winning the championship is. They must be applauded and the people for winning the championship, must deify them. We have to say goodbye to them properly, so that they feel good about themselves, because they deserve to be able to come in the summer full of energy and be able to chase goals in the games of Europe. "Because they deserve the children, they went through many difficulties and came out winners".