Zenit did not get into the Champions League. What's next? Will you stay with the team?

Yes, we've finished the championship and did not get into the Champions League. But Zenit played well at the end of the championship with some entertaining and complex football. 

Some changes impacted on our performance in the second half of the season. Danny's start was very difficult and it was difficult for him to reach the level that he showed before. He is now fully back in the team and shows his qualities. We have a good team and there is a team with a great future. Now, after losing three top players - Witsel, Garay and Hulk we have come to our senses. It's been a challenging year of course. But we are ready with the team to get good results next season. I am sure that if we did not play against Terek in those conditions then now we would be in the Champions League. I am sure we will look different next season.

Are you staying?

If you don't know, I have another year on my contract so i'll talk about it now. We have time until the next month, before the team will gather again, we all will think about it and then make a decision. The pressure on me due to my supposedly not very good relationship with the players, has been felt and has had an impact on the psychological state of the team.

When you came to Zenit the club talked about your ability to work with young players, but none of them have appeared on the pitch. What is their level in your estimation? 

Unfortunately, too many players have passed through here that have not risen to the level of Zenit or to play in the Russian league. I had looked at the list of players who are here. The most talented players of Zenit-2 and Academy, unfortunately, none of them have made it to the first team. Player grow and become better, but you need talent. My task is to bring players in, to give them a winning mentality. After a year of work at the base, there is not one player ready. 

It was very difficult to change the habits of the players. Naturally, the change will be achieved over many years. I am glad that by the end of the championship, many of them were able to understand me. For example, Ivanovic, whom I greatly respect and who has had a great career in England, was difficult to change, he has made a lot of mistakes, which led to poor results. I did not get through to him and so he lost his place in the starting lineup. By and large, I had the same problem was with Lombaerts, who wanted to play, but when he did, it did not always work well. For example, when he was sent off in the match with Anzhi, we were left with ten men and were not able to win. Once again I say, it is difficult to change players. When I sub them during the game or give them a chance to rest, they should understand it. 

The training process implies that skilled players need more exercise to maintain the condition I require. CSKA have in defence, the Berezutski brothers, Ignashevich, but they are not always on the pitch and that's life. There comes a time when players need to change. We need, of course need fresh blood and young players. 

There have been too many monologues on my part. You probably are not interested in anymore in Zenit and Lokomotiv. I want to congratulate Spartak and CSKA Moscow with their progress in the Champions League and I want to earn as many points for the European co-efficencey for the country.