‘Al-Arabi ready to fight for the win’

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Boris Bunjak
Boris Bunjak

UEFA Professional Coaching Licensee, Boris Bunjak has a rich resume, having coached teams in Yugoslavia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia and finally Al-Arabi in Kuwait. He sat down with Arab Times for an exclusive interview, in which he dilated on his coaching philosophy, saying that from the beginning of the world till today, that football has evolved and is still evolving, getting new shapes which change old ones. He indicated that they who are involved in football have influence over the use of these changes, using space and time which he explained further in the discussion.

Qnswer: First, I’d like to learn a bit about you.

Answer:  First of all I was a football player for twenty three years, and now I am coach for twenty five years. This is for example all my life inside football. I have worked in three continents, nine countries and fifteen clubs.

Q: What differences do you see in the team training between this team and those that you trained previously outside Kuwait?

A: Arabi is a big club, thousands of fans, if you working in a big club, it’s not my first big club of course, but with all big clubs you must be feeling big pressure about results, play style, because fans are generally not satisfied if you play good, you need to win. Also they are not satisfied if you win, you need to play good. I know what I need to do here. Last season we were on top from first until the last round. But it is all about goal differences, we didn’t win the championships. We won the Crown Prince Cup, and a club like Arabi needs something more. About that I am coming back again, I feel good moments to prepare the team for next season to win more titles. If you compare Arabi to all clubs around the world, life under them will be the same. They are all big clubs and fans want to see them win all the time.

Q: Does your team have a youth academy, if no, what plans are there to open one?

A: Arabi has no youth academy. I don’t know I am not talking too much about the story. This is a fundamental requirement for all clubs. Without young players, without good school, without good academy, there cannot be talented players for the club. Talented players need to be quality players. There is a big difference between talent and quality. Talent is the predisposition to be. If you have quality, you have everything. I am not talking much about the story, but from my standpoint, having a youth academy is a very important prerequisite to obtaining high quality players.

Q: What is your philosophy for coaching?

A: From the beginning of the world till today football is evolving and developing, getting new shapes which change old ones. Football searches and finds new ways, changes we who work with it; we have influence over the use of these changes in our own ways and this is all that improves football itself. Receive the ball, play good pass at the right time, this is football. Talking about coaching philosophy in football, space and time are the key components to consider. If you have good understanding, the right time to play pass or not play pass, is talking about time. If you understand how to use your area, then you are talking about space and that is football. That is keeping the essence of the football game. From time to time there is space which can be filled in each part of the game no matter what it is about, technique, physical preparation, tactics, psychological preparation, methodology or systematization of the training etc, all in purpose of getting the top game and top results. Quite a long period of time has passed and football has passed and changed through different phases. The theory tried to follow and explain all that. So it brings us to the question how to beat those who are better than we are and to the answer which leads us through football game because football is one of the rare sports that makes this possible and even more frequent than in any other sport.

Q: What is “Pressing On The Ball and Space”?

A: The subject of this work is pressing on the ball and space and it was done in a special, modern way adapted to time and enriched by experience of the original and improved pressing which gives us more universal way of its use. In modern football pressing appeared after zone play and play “man on man” whose best representative was Germany. In later football development extremely qualified individuals appeared who couldn’t be guarded well. Zone play was back but it wasn’t enough so a new kind of pressing appeared: pressing on the ball. As football was becoming a faster and faster game in a technical as well as in tactical way with more and more high class players who were able to surprise by unexpected solutions and change the course of the match in a countless number of situations, time brought a new combined kind of pressing and it was pressing on the ball and space. This is the subject which we pay attention to here because it emerges as the most applicable to and against all systems. If you want to win a game, it is imperative to always attack.

Q: How did the team fare last season?

A: Last season was a fantastic, excellent season for us. From first round until the last round, we were on the top of the league table. After twenty years, the stadium was again becoming filled with fans. When we played against Qadsiya, Kuwait, for example when we played against Al Nasser we had 15,000 people in attendance, when we played against Sahel, we had 15,000 people attending. Because now fans feel that Arabi has a good, strong team ready to fight for the win.

Q: How are the players recruited into the team?

A: Since I started working with Arabi a year ago, I always have a group of twenty five players who I work with, no new player has come except striker Firaz who is not new. This is very difficult for all coaches because I know what I need, which player cannot play, which player needs to play, which player will make my team better. But I have worked with this group and I think in my opinion I bring 100% performance.

Q: Where do they start and how do they move to the national level?

A: Arabi together with Qadsiya have produced so many players for the national team. At one time there were seven to eight Arabi players called to the national team. This is very interesting. We have two goalkeepers, first goalkeeper and second goalkeeper playing for the national team. This is very interesting, you know. Also we have five, six, seven player from different positions, playing for the national team currently.

Q: What are the biggest challenges for the players?

A: The biggest challenge for the team or its players is to win the championship. For thirteen years, this club hasn’t won the championship. This is a club with the best number of titles. Now, Qadsiya has 15 championship titles and Arabi also15. But when we talk about trophies, Arabi is the best in the Gulf with 56 trophies in all.

Q: Do they have other jobs? What might keep them from being the best players they could be?

A: Yes, they are not professional; somebody works as a policeman, army, students etc. all clubs have the chance to bring in four professionals.

Q: What are your greatest challenges as the coach of the team?

A: It is a great challenge to win the cup, last season we won the Crown Prince Cup. This is the best result, my first trophy in Arabi. In last season we were a little bit unlucky, we just needed a goal but we didn’t get it and lost the championships.

Q: How do you envision the future of football in Kuwait?

A: In Kuwait there are so many talented and quality players. It is a big surprise for me that the Kuwaiti national team only went to the World Cup once in its lifetime. Kuwait has so many very good players, playing the Asian Cup, Gulf Cup, Champions League, and always going all the way to the finish, semi final, finals like that. But with the national team, this is something of a mystery. I think Kuwait’s football will develop if clubs make it mandatory to have academies and that is where they start to be professional.

Q: What changes would you like to see in Kuwait football to make it better?

A: Again I need to talk about professional players. Players who are working, studying of course will not train every day. Sometimes he talks about exams; he goes outside one day, two days, three days, and four days. With professional footballers, it is not possible. When he starts to be professional he would train morning, evening and that is another lifestyle because everything would change for him.

Q: Describe a typical work week for a head football coach

A: I always repeat this story. Between games and games we have seven days. For example two days ago we finished the legal games, and I gave my players a day off. Next day we start work and we analyse what we do, what is good and what is not good. After that we start to make fitness training, tactical training, shooting. This is normally a weekly program.

Q: Who are your role models in coaching and why?

A: I am a very lucky man because in my country which is Yugoslavia, we had so many very famous coaches. And I am very lucky and happy to learn from Milan Milanic who was the national coach and was also the coach for Real Madrid in Spain. He was also coach for Partisan Belgrade and coach for Japanese national team. Now he works as the president of the federation in Bosnia. This is a coach who paved the way for me and after that I work alone. I want to carve out my own style.

Q: What are your best and worst memories in coaching?

A: I remember something that sounds very weird. For example I never lose a game when the referee gives out a red card to my player. Three years ago I remember a game against Jahra, I played with eight players against eleven. With eight players we scored three goals. Also there have been instances where I have won games without one player in the team and I am proud about that. Also I am very happy when I started work with a new club i started getting good results. I try to build good conversations between players, good communication, sometimes you need to be father, sometimes you need to be policeman, sometimes you need to be brother, mother. Everybody dreams about big results, I win trophy, I win cup, but for me I normally very happy if my team plays according to plan; to play attack and offensive football, score many goals, create chances. My dream is one day to become the national team coach of any country which is the final and top level for all coaches in the world.

Q: How would you deal with a player that complained about the head coach or his program?

A: In Kuwait this is difficult; you need to make some balance because Kuwait is not professional. If I become very strong, I will lose players. We need to make some compromise you know, we need to understand the players, make good connections, how you feel, you are ready, you are not ready, coming from your job whether you have problems, which is more difficult than professionals. In professional football there are rules for everybody to follow, but here it’s a little bit different.

Q: What person and or event has had the most influence on your life? Why?

A: First and most important is my family, my wife and two daughters and granddaughters are the ones who have had the most influence on my life. I become very happy seeing my granddaughters come to me after my duty hours, play with me, this is life. Also in my private life, I love to ski and play tennis.

Q: What qualities would you look for if you were hiring an assistant?

A: I am a very lucky man to have an assistant coach who has been working with me for more that 8 years. He very well understands me, no need to talk or look because we have been working together for long. My assistant thinks like me, follows me, supports me, no problem if he has a different opinion, we talk about what is better for team, what is better for result. I am not arrogant to not accept his opinion. I am also happy because i change fifteen clubs and all the people in those clubs currently are still my friends.

Q: How has coaching affected your life?

A: It is very difficult you know, a coach comes with a suitcase, never opening till the finish. Or you open and wait, and must be ready to close and go again. But you know, you must adapt, and work every day, like today I must show the best from me, like I want to stay here ten years.

Q: How would you promote a positive energy with your team through both positive and negative situations?

A: In negative situations, something good always emerges. For example, losing a game due to some mistake, maybe about referee, we need to analyse what has happened, what is a true story, and we need to talk openly about this problem. If I don’t talk about my player’s mistake, the mistake is bound to be repeated. I am the coach that wants to help players cleanup their mistakes and move forward.

Q: What books or movies are your favourites and why?

A: I like psychology books which are very interesting for me. For movies i don’t have the time for them.

Q: What is one key event that changed your life in a positive or negative way?

A: In my tenth year as a coach, I came into contact with the number one player in Yugoslavia, Dragan Drajic. When we met, I knew who he was but he didn’t know me and we started to be friends and talking every day about football, and after one or two years, he called me coach, after talking to you, I have begun to follow your coaching ways, and we want to give you an offer, Red Star Nidjo. When he talked like that I started to cry. My dream was becoming true. He changed my life. After a stint with Red Star, opportunities started to open up for me because the Red Star on my CV.

Q: What one word or phrase do you want people to associate with your name?

A: I think “fighter”.

Q: Describe the organization of your bench area during games.

A: I focus on the ongoing game always. If I sit on the bench with ten players, some team officials, president, vice president, and with everybody talking and commenting on the game, I stay close to my team. That is because I need to follow the game and be alone with deep concentration. Maybe in the stadium there could be 70 to 80, 000 people and I need to concentrate so that nobody breaks my concentration.

Q:  Describe your typical pre- game, half time and post game locker room routine plus explain the thinking behind it.

A: Before the game i make preparations all week. When the last game is finished, I prepare for the next game after the first training. Normally I call a twenty minute meeting, explain to the players what the work would be all week. Sometimes I talk about the opponents one day before the game, I work hard all week preparing for the upcoming game, and wait for the players to do the rest in the match. After the game, I like to congratulate all my players, If they lose OK, we need to talk a little.

Q: Describe a coach’s role as motivator. How do you plan on motivating players and getting them to buy into their role on the team each year?

A: If you want to motivate players, there must be direct contact between players and coach. Talking about motivation, I have 25 players, so i need to have 25 direct contacts. This is 25 persons with 25 different psychologies, 25 different hearts, and 25 different minds. This is very difficult, you know, I need during the training, after the training in the camp every day, I need to talk, I need feedback and reaction from players. Sometimes I make special moments, for example I push player inside a problem I created and see how he feels inside the problem. If he comes out strong, okay. If he feels bad after this problem, he’ll make more problems and he’d be sidelined from the team.

Q: What is your role in the off season?

A: I, my staff and all players need a well deserved rest. We need for example ten days without football. If somebody likes swimming, he goes swimming, if somebody likes to go hunting, he goes. It should be ten days football-free. You know what; we are talking about glass with water. During the season, this is full water, sometimes you drink and refill and this is the training, spent energy, refill with new energy, all the time the glass is full. At the end of the season, you need to throw away this water and keep the glass empty to make way for new water or new energy. Before 10 days to the beginning of the season, I tell them to start running a little because no need to start from zero.

Q: How do you plan on improving as a coach from year to year?

A: You need to follow football, and if you do that you develop. If you follow football, you progress and develop. As a coach, I always like to read what is new in football, attend seminars and camps for coaches. In my country many times I go to organize courses for coaches, becoming like a professor. Every day one needs to learn, if you want to be on the top.

Q: How would you test and counsel new players coming into the team?

A: If there are new players coming into the team, I want to see them play live for testing. I normally would not like to see DVD or clips of players. Players who like to play for the team should send either be here personally or send four, five, six or seven full games they have participated in.

Q: Describe the organization of a typical practice.

A: Before we start training every day, I draw up a schedule, spending about two, three hours on it. Remember we are dealing with 25 players. Somebody is happy, somebody isn’t, this is difficult.

Q: What are your behavioural expectations for your players both on and off the field?

A: In football now, we have specific training. We need to make automation for all positions. Everyone from my team must know each moment what he needs to do. If you have the ball with 9 players around you, you need to give the chance to play with them. If you play without the ball and your players have the ball, which area do you use to receive the ball, how you want to help the one with the ball, you need to help him or go in front of the ball or to attack. This is really difficult, so there is the need for every day training to repeat some exercise to make some things automatic for players to follow.

Q:  What is your philosophy on discipline?

A: A football team must be like an army with one hundred percent discipline. With discipline you can do everything, without discipline you can accomplish nothing. Between these two there should be no compromise. I am responsible for results in the team, which never come without discipline. I enforce discipline and concentration and this is how to win the game. I want to tell you something about my philosophy about football. Defenders win the trophy, the league, the cup. Strikers win the game.

Q: What has been your most important accomplishment as a coach?

A: There are so many things you know. To be a coach, there are so many people getting involved. You must understand psychology, be a motivator, be ready to practice, and have energy, self confidence. If you have all these things, you can manage a team successfully.

Q: What are your coaching goals?  Short term?  Long term?

A: If you want to build a team, you need long term goals because you need to give some players time inside the team. For short term, if I have a good team, i would not need to change a style. For example Barcelona changed a coach but not their style of play. Now I have to build a new team, new style for my team Arabi,

Q: When your team encounters a problem, such as irritation with a teammate or a member of the coaching staff, how do you reach a good resolution?

A: We need to talk, if I see how the problem originates, I know how I will solve it. I will call the players involved; explain to them how it is good to play as a team without problems.

Q: What are “Offensive” and “defensive” philosophies?

A: Offensive philosophy in football is aggressive football to score goals. This is most important for football. Why do you play football, to score goals, why do fans come to the stadium, to see goals. I am a coach who likes to attack, for example last season we scored more than 65 goals. During the first part of the season, all clubs playing against us we scored three, four five goals. If you talk about defensive football, you are talking about Italian football. They play too much tactical football. They never finish a game 5-0, 4-3, 3-2, 6-4. They always finish 1-0, 2-1, 1-1 and such things. This is defensive football.

Q: How do you prepare your team for a game?

A: First, you must finish everything about fitness, strategy, tactics, and finally you need to give motivation to the players.

Q: Ever been tossed from a game?  If so, what did you do and what did you learn from it?

A: Yes, so many times. Believe me, maybe six, seven times referee kicked me from the stadium. I was right because the red card against my player was a referee mistake. I need to specially show my players I am with them.

 biography

Boris Bunjak

Born: 17.11.1954.

Nationality: Serbian

Position: Coach

Languages: English, Russian, Serbian

Education:

Higher coach of football UEFA – Pro Licence

Coaching Career:

2014-         FC “Al Arabi” Kuwait – head coach

2013-14     FC “Al Jahra” Kuwait – head coach

2012-13    FC “Yadanarbon” Myanmar – head coach

2012-12    FC “Azam” Tanzania – head coach

2011-12    FC “DAMAC” Saudi Arabia – head coach

2011-11    FC “Al Naser” Oman – Head Coach

2009-10    FC “Al Orouba” Oman – Head Coach

2008-09    FC “All Shaab” United Arab Emirates – Technical Supervisor

2007-08    FC “All Shaab” United Arab Emirates – Head Coach

2006-07    FC “Al Naser” Oman – Head Coach

2005-06    FK “Hajduk” Kula – Head Coach

2004-05    FC “All Shaab” United Arab Emirates – First Team Coach

2002-04    FK “Crvena Zvezda” Beograd – First Team Coach

2000-02    FK “Mladi Radnik” Pozarevac – Head Coach

1999-00    FK “Uralan” Russia – Head Coach

1998-99    FK “Radnicki” Nis – Head Coach

1996-97    FK “Crvena Zvezda” Gnjilane – Head Coach

1995-96    FK “Javor” Ivanjica – Head Coach

1993-94    Instructor in FA of Yugoslavia

1990-93    FK “Sloga” Kraljevo – Head Coach

Playing Career:

1967-75    FK “Sloga” Kraljevo

1975-78    FK “Vozdovac” Beograd

1978-79    FK “Radnicki” Kragujevac

1979-80    FK “Olimpia” Ljubljana

1980-81    FK “Sumadija” Arandjelovac

1981-85    FK “Sloga” Kraljevo

1985-86    FK “Borac” Cacak

1986-90    FK “Sloga” Kraljevo

By Iddris Seidu

Arab Times Staff

 

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