Patrick van Leeuwen: "Decision to leave was difficult."

The Dutch specialist, who left his position as Shakhtar Academy director, talked about the feelings with which he is leaving Donetsk.

- Of course, I would like to sincerely thank Shakhtar. It particularly concerns Sergei Palkin, who gave me a chance to prove myself here. During this time I have learned a lot, first as assistant director and then as head of the Academy. I am very glad that I have had such an opportunity. Of course, I loved my job very much. I admit that I wanted to do more, but things do not always go as planned. I hope that after a seven-year spell I'm leaving the Academy with good internal organization, which must continue to develop in a given direction, with growing new talented players who will have a chance to prove themselves in the first team. A decision to leave Shakhtar was very hard, but in life there comes a time when you want to try a new role. For various reasons, the above moment has come for me. I decided to resign as the Academy director, because I received a proposal that would allow me to develop and grow, to use experience accumulated at Shakhtar in a different way.

- What can you say about your successor?

- Oleksandr Funderat is a very experienced Ukrainian coach who knows perfectly how to work with children representing different age groups. He has worked with several directors at our Academy, and I am sure that he has adopted best practices from each of them. Position of the Academy director should be a good experience for Oleksandr – now he will think of not one, but of the twenty teams that are in our structure. I have no doubt that he will succeed in everything.

What was the most memorable part at the Donetsk stage of your career?

- I have met many good people whom I hope I will meet again and again. Academy, as well as the whole club, is constantly evolving. This is evident through the congresses, tournaments, which we held. Each time, they included representatives of more and more countries; more people are becoming aware of Shakhtar with each day.

- How would you assess this stage with Shakhtar?

- It was a very important stage. Individually I grew significantly as coach, as director of the Academy. The time spent at Shakhtar had a significant impact on me. I've met people here who have become my mates and close friends. This is a huge part of my life.