Black Sea Pirates - Niki Manolov Interview

1. Niki, we do see a big changes in Black Sea Pirates lately. Basically, Black Sea Pirates are a completely new team. Maybe the team with the most serious and comprehensive changes at every level. How would you comment? 🙂

Niki Manolov : Yes, summer was quite active for us in terms of incoming and outgoing transfers. For better or worse, circumstances forced us to change a large part of the squad. I believe that the changes we made in management positions, players, and formation will give us good results in the near future.

2. After everything said so far and the changes, how do you see the Pirates for the upcoming season and in the tournaments, whatever they may be? We see that you are now in a new formation 4-3-3, which seems to be your main actually. Will this remain?

Niki Manolov : I see our relatively "new" team (new in terms of players), with serious potential and ambitions. Realistically speaking, with the squad we have outlined for the season, we are capable of achieving a lot, but consistency will be essential, and that will be our main challenge. Regarding the 4-3-3 formation, I expect us to be most threatening with it, but we can make changes if necessary.

3. However, we notice that despite the changes, the Pirates currently have perhaps better coverage of positions than before. How do you see the new transfers and players, and how are they adapting to the team?

Niki Manolov : It is quite debatable whether the coverage of positions is better, at least in the midfield, since we have a significant change in players there. In defense, we have definitely improved the level and coordination. I am pleased with all the new additions; they are quickly adapting to the team's ideas, and I expect that soon we will become a well-synchronized collective.

4. What will be your vision moving forward and what are your goals in a broader sense?

Niki Manolov : Our primary goal is to perform well and achieve a good ranking. In our case, a good ranking means a top 3 finish, but that doesn't mean we won't attempt to fight for the title if we see that the season is going better than expected.

Thank you Niki and Good Luck to Black Sea Pirates !