Yurii Vernydub: "We Will Do Everything We Can to Ensure Neftçi Is Where It Belongs"

Neftçi PFK head coach Yurii Vernydub has spoken to the club's press service about the first phase of pre-season preparations, the club's summer signings, ongoing transfer activity, his new contract and the support of the fans.

Looking back on the opening stage of pre-season, the Ukrainian coach said:

"As we enter the UEFA Conference League from the second qualifying round, our matches will take place on 23 and 30 July. That gave us more time to prepare, so we began our eight-day training cycle at our training base in Baku on 20 June.

"I believe everything went exactly as we had planned. We worked well with the players and laid the foundations that will allow us to build further throughout pre-season. This is only the beginning.

"On the final day of the first phase, we played an internal training match. After a day's rest, we will travel to Slovenia on 29 June for a two-week training camp. There we will focus more on tactical and technical work, play four friendly matches and continue shaping the squad. We will return on 14 July before beginning our final week of preparations for the first official match of the season."

Vernydub also shared his thoughts on Neftçi's summer recruits:

"After I arrived at Neftçi in December, we completed the first half of the season and travelled to Abu Dhabi for our winter training camp. From that moment, we began working to strengthen the squad because we knew the team needed fresh energy.

"For the past five or six months we have been actively searching for the right players. I would like to thank our scouting department for their excellent work in identifying and bringing in these footballers. I believe these signings will make us stronger.

"Rufat Abbasov is a young player and a national team international whose journey is only just beginning. We will work closely with him, and I know he is a product of Neftçi's academy.

"Andrew Gravillon is an excellent central defender who can also play on the right side or in midfield as a number six or number eight. Gustavo Klismahn has integrated into the squad very well. During the eight days we have worked together, I have seen that he is a true professional, hardworking and always striving to improve.

"Ľubomír Tupta is exactly the type of forward we want. He is capable of playing across the entire attacking line — as a winger, centre-forward, or even as a number ten or number eight. I want our players to be versatile. We do not want footballers who can perform in only one position. They must be ready to adapt whenever the team needs them. I believe our new signings are quality players who will strengthen Neftçi and help us achieve our objectives."

Speaking about the club's ongoing transfer activity and the possibility of Freddy Vargas returning, Vernydub added:

"We are working every day. Our recruitment department is doing an outstanding job and constantly provides us with new options. We evaluate every player carefully before making decisions. I am very pleased with the level of work being done by our scouting team.

"As for Freddy Vargas, you know that he was on loan with us before returning to his parent club in Israel. There are still certain issues to be resolved, but we remain hopeful. The club's management is working on the situation and it is possible that everything will develop as we would like, allowing Freddy to return and help the team once again.

"He played as a striker during the final nine matches of last season and I believe his return would make our squad even stronger. At this stage, I cannot say anything more, but the club is continuing to work on the matter."

The experienced coach also commented on extending his contract with the club:

"I would like to thank the club's management for the trust they have shown in me. When they raised the possibility of a new contract, I said that if everything was going well, there was no reason not to sign one.

"I am very happy here. Baku is a wonderful city and the Azerbaijani championship is a strong and competitive league. The clubs have ambitious objectives, which makes this project very exciting for me.

"I accepted the offer immediately and I would once again like to thank the club for the confidence they have placed in me. My initial contract was for one year, but it has now been extended to two years. Together with my coaching staff and the players, we will continue working tirelessly to ensure Neftçi reaches the position it truly deserves — competing for the highest honours."

Finally, Vernydub thanked the club's supporters for their backing:

"I am incredibly grateful to our supporters for the fantastic backing they gave us throughout last season. Without them, things would have been much more difficult.

"At the same time, I hope they will continue to support us even more by coming to our matches. I want to see Neftçi's stadium full at every home game. Football is at its best when the stands are packed and everyone is behind the team.

"Once again, thank you for your support last season. I hope you will be even louder in the new campaign. Come to our matches, and we will do everything we can to reward you with performances that make you proud and bring you joy."