Temur Kapadze: "My task is to make the players' work easier" (interview)

In this episode of the Kun podcast, the head coach of the Uzbekistan national team, Temur Kapadze, discussed the chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, the work done in the team after Srechko Katanec, the matches against Kyrgyzstan and Iran, the physical and mental condition of the players, preparations for the upcoming important games in June, and other topics.

In January of this year, the former head coach of the Uzbekistan national team, Srechko Katanec, mutually terminated his contract with the Uzbekistan Football Association due to health issues.

After Katanec's resignation, Temur Kapadze, who was the first to lead the Uzbekistan Olympic team to the Olympics in football history and was later recognized as the best coach of the year in Uzbekistan, was appointed as the head coach.

Currently, the qualification stage for the 2026 World Cup is ongoing among Asian countries. Up to now, Uzbekistan has played several matches. The creators of the Kun podcast held a conversation with Kapadze based on current relevance. Below are some excerpts from the interview.

– After the last two matches against Kyrgyzstan and Iran, what is your current state? What did you experience in those two matches?

– We didn’t perform poorly in either match, thank God. First of all, of course, there is responsibility; we understand everything. The concern was during the short time, as I can say I just took over this team, and in the previous gathering, there were almost different players; they just joined this gathering, it’s true, we entered the “zbor” on the sixteenth [date], but we entered closer to the evening.

The players arrived on the seventeenth or eighteenth. Almost all of them gathered just two days before, and we couldn’t conduct a full training session on the eighteenth; we tried to perform tactical exercises. However, since some players were coming from the road, we didn’t put too much pressure or couldn’t conduct the training until the end. Only one day, that is, the training before the match [was held], and even then, it was given just one hour. Understanding all this, of course, after the seventeenth and eighteenth, we were busy primarily with their recovery.

Because everyone is coming after the matches, they are coming from the road. A person is still a living being; after the match, there is a journey, they fly overnight, and there are not direct flights from Europe. You know, through Turkey or, of course, there are other transit routes in between. Moreover, there is a time difference, the climate – everything [affects]. It may seem easy from the outside, but for the players to come from the road and go onto the field after two days, this is an adaptation process. Because whether we say Eldor or others – they don’t feel their optimal form. On top of that, it is necessary to explain the game against Kyrgyzstan, showing the old games in theory, what our shortcomings were, how they play, how we can play – we tried to explain these things and to perform those situations on the field during the process.

During these two days, we tried to convey some things to the players while dealing with these concerns. Nevertheless, our “mood” against Kyrgyzstan was also good; we know their motivation, it’s a kind of “derby.” But I think the guys almost didn’t give them [the Kyrgyz] any chances in the game. There was complete dominance in “pressing,” only 1-2 goals were missing; there were chances, somewhere the realization was lacking, somewhere the goalkeeper performed well.

Now, of course, I also heard or saw that perhaps someone regretted something. One might say, “If it were two or three to nil, it would have been different.” But we were grateful for that too. Because the main thing is that we got 3 points, 1:0; perhaps we could have put more pressure in the second half, and we did. But they didn’t open up; if they had opened up, it would have been even better, but we also had no rush.

– Temur, you have played a lot on this field as a player. They say the field is heavy now. But why does it feel heavy? As fans, we don’t understand. Those who have played there know, you have played, and as a coach, you are on the sidelines. Why is this field heavy?

– Now, I don’t know about its heaviness; perhaps the games are difficult. But when you are running on the field, you don’t feel that heaviness. Sometimes there have been situations on the field, for example, the grass gets hot during the summer. But nowadays, the condition is also good; I haven’t heard such things from the guys or anyone else. Now, according to rumors, it was built in such a way that there was a lot of dissatisfaction. This may have some effect; they say there is no blessing where there is dissatisfaction, we know this too.

But I think that time has already passed. Previously, there were many talks about this. Compared to other stadiums, I think the players have adapted to this. The “Bunyodkor” stadium still has closer stands; the atmosphere is different; you feel the breath and shouts of the fans; if there are more people, it feels even more; this can also play a role. “Pakhtakor,” of course, is different in this regard; the stands are farther away, and you are almost on the field. You don’t feel that pressure. In this, the players also adapt; they feel this and have to live with it.

– The team came in third place with Katanec, and then the coach changed. They had good achievements before your coaching, and now it continues well. If the team qualifies for the World Cup, there will be an opinion that Katanec also contributed here. But if there is a failure, didn’t you fear that only you would be blamed when you took over the team?

– Now everything goes through the mind. I think every coach should be prepared for this. This thing [choosing a coach] is done considering everything; the choice remains with me, whether it’s the federation, the leadership, or the players, there have been many consultations. Knowing these thoughts, a single decision was made. If everyone wanted me, why should I say no, that’s the first thing. I have confidence in myself, whether little or much.

Of course, there will be worries… This is football; I understand everything. When you are trying to secure an Olympic qualification, you are worried until the end because this is sport. Because you go onto the field; we may have a strong advantage, but somewhere luck can play a role, various situations can arise. Subjective, psychological factors play a big role; I know this 100 percent in advance; you can’t say everything is right. There is also an opposing team on the field, which has also prepared in the same way. Before the game, yes, you prepare, but this is football. No one can guarantee 100 percent.

To be honest, I understand that it’s a difficult situation. Because there are no easy games left; the second “round” is harder than the first. Because Iran and the UAE have qualified, only Kyrgyzstan remains. Therefore, in this situation, my main concern was the lack of time. Because I needed to get involved quickly and be in communication. The players come; it needed a little time. In the first game, we were a bit distant; after that, we got much closer. I got to know the players even better: their movements, shortcomings… I knew many of them before, but the working process is a different situation.