I don’t care what they write about me in Russia – Advocaat

Get short URL

Published time: June 27, 2012 16:37
Edited time: June 27, 2012 20:37

Russia’s failure at Euro 2012 wasn’t enough to shake Dick Advocaat’s confidence as he considers himself to be among the best coaches on the planet and thus doesn’t need to listen to any criticism.

­"I absolutely don’t care what they write about me after our exit from Euro 2012,” Advocaat told Voetbal International newspaper. “That’s all part of football. It’s only important to have a healthy atmosphere in the team and be able to show good performances. I can’t do anything more as a coach, although there were times when I really cared about the media’s reaction after such defeats.”

Russia failed to qualify to the play-offs from the easiest group in the tournament. Dick Advocaat’s men began with a confident win against the Czech Republic (4-1), but a draw with Euro 2012 co-host Poland (1-1) and an unexpected loss to Greece (0-1) saw them out of the competition.   

"There are journalists in Russia who have to deliver something every day,” the 64-year-old added. “They’ll write about anything just to get paid. They can make up a report about a male nurse working in a closet. After such things I don’t feel any pressure when someone says that I need to train my players more. This is what Russian journalists wrote during our preparation for the European championships.”

The coach left for Holland straight after the game with Greece on June 16 and hasn’t given a single interview to a Russian journalist since then.

Advocaat believes his previous results with Russia indicate that he’s among the best coaches on the planet.

“Of course, I’m not [Alex] Ferguson or [Jose] Mourinho, but I’m right behind them,” he stressed.

The Dutchman was the highest paid coach at Euro 2012, with the Russian Football Union paying him €7 million annually.

Advocaat’s next job will be with the Dutch football powerhouse, PSV Eindhoven, with whom he signed a one-year deal back in May.