“Torpedo” Kutaisi and its head coach Gerard Zaragoza Mulet are the main discovery of the current championship. It is hard to consider the Kutaisi club as the main discovery but it is a fact. The sceptics did not like recent changes in the club, especially after the failure at Europa League. But after that “Torpedo” held 8 matches without a loss at the national championship and it is in the second place. Of course, the Spaniard specialist is the creator of it. We visited him and took an interview.

- First of all, tell us about yourself. How did you start coaching?

- I am 31 years old. I started coaching from the age of 16. At first I coached the Tarragona team for 8 years. Then, I coached the Catalonian youth teams and we won the Spanish Championship. I coached young football players of “Barcelona” and “Espanyol”. Then, I went to Qatar where World Cup 2022 will take place. Qatar is interested to prepare for this event seriously and wants to transfer talented young players from Africa. I worked as a scout and brought players from Africa to Qatar. I spent 4 years in the Asian football academy.

- How did you come to Georgia and what information did you have about Georgian football?

- While working as a scout in Qatar I spent the last year in Senegal. After that I have worked for U-16 and U-23 teams of “Espanyol”. I knew that my closest friend Yague Aguilar has worked for “Lokomotive” Tbilisi Academy. I also had some information from fitness coach of “Lokomotive”. Alberto Corea always said warm words toward your country. Last November I was offered to coach “Lokomotive” and I agreed.

- Soon you came to “Torpedo” Kutaisi with your coaching staff and fans did not like these changes. They did not believe in success of the team. Was not it tough to work in such test situation?

- Generally, people do not like novelties. So, I understand the fans. When we started rejuvenating the team, we took a big risk. I have spent my career with young football players. When I started working in Kutaisi, I was sure that the team would play better in 2-3 months. I always said to sceptics that I needed time to build the team. Now I do not know what they think but we have a good result and we go on working.

- At the championship you are behind “Dinamo” Tbilisi. The team has ambitions to become a champion. What should we expect from “Torpedo” in the current season?

- Now I only think about the match against “Sioni” Bolnisi. I do not think what will happen at winter break and in spring. We must get in Top 6 and play at European tournaments. In short, we must play better.

- What do you consider as a successful result?

- Only championship. I always stream to the championship and my goal is to form “Torpedo” as the best team.

- Do you plan to strengthen the team with new players?

- We have young players whose average age is 20. That is why people are spectics but I believe in my team and football players. Some of them play for different age teams. We must let young players show themselves. For example, Vazha Tabatadze was a great strength for the team but after his injury he was replaced by young player. I can say the same about Chelidze who was replaced by Sandokhadze brilliantly. I am happy that I work for such team where we do not depend on one leader.

- “Torpedo” plays offensive football and you often change tactic. Do you do it to confuse the opponents?

- Personally I do not pay much attention to tactical schemes. First of all, I try to learn the opponent. I prefer domination in the center of the field.

- Now the Georgian football is not in good situation. How do you think what is the main reason of our failure?

- In my opinion, we must trust young talented football players. When 18-year-old boy is not allowed to play here, he goes abroad to play for minor team where he cannot develop as a good player. The players must play in Georgia till the age of 23. Besides that, I must mention mental problems. The football player can be physically and technically developed but he may not have football discipline. For example, coach must not remind the player to come back after going ahead. It must be done automatically.

- How do you estimate the Georgian Championship and which team do you consider as the main favorite?

- The Georgian Championship reminds me of Segunda Division. As for the favorites, it is “Dinamo” Tbilisi which won all titles last year. I like “Dila” Gori and “Chikhura” Sachkhere. These teams have chance to fight for the championship. I think “Zestafoni” will play better because it has a really good coach. We will also fight for the championship. “Torpedo” is not going to give up.

- Which your match do you distinguish in the current season?

- The match in Zestafoni when we beat the team of Ratko Dostanic 3:2. People say to me the match against “Merani” Martvili was the best.

- You are quite emotional and spend a lot of energy at the matches…

- I am from Catalonia and I am very emotional, like all southerners.

- What can you say about your family?

- I am 4000 km away from my home which is tough. Here I have my wife who is happy for being in Georgia. I have my friend Alberto Corea here. We want “Torpedo” to achieve more success. It is our goal.

Zaza Letodiani