Vahe Gevorgyan: “If Alashkert do not strengthen, we have nothing to do in European competitions”

Alashkert head coach Vahe Gevorgyan commented on the team’s qualification for European competition after the victory over Shirak in the final round of the Armenian Premier League.

In their last match of the season, Alashkert defeated Shirak 2-0 and secured a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. After the game, Gevorgyan stressed that the club needs to strengthen the squad in order to perform properly on the international stage.

“I say this both publicly and inside our club: if the team does not strengthen, we have nothing to do in European competitions. And especially if the leaders leave before that, I am not ready to work under such conditions. First of all, we represent the country and the people,” the Alashkert head coach said.

Gevorgyan emphasized that he understands the club’s chosen strategy — developing young players and then selling them for a higher price. However, according to the coach, this approach must be accompanied by a clear mechanism for replacing players.

“I accept the path chosen by the club, which wants to sign young players and sell them for more. But there has to be a mechanism: we need to understand when and whom to sell. After a sale, another player should arrive within a few days to replace him. Situations like the one with Bationo should not happen,” the specialist noted.

The coach also expressed trust in the club’s management and specifically mentioned sporting director Tigran Mkrtchyan, highlighting his ambition.

“I trust Tigran Mkrtchyan, and I know that he is also an ambitious person. So today I have no doubts about what I have said,” Gevorgyan added.

According to the Alashkert manager, several of the team’s leaders had offers last summer and in the winter, but the players remained at the club. At the same time, Gevorgyan said he would not like to see key players move to other Armenian teams.

“I do not want to sell players to other Armenian clubs because, as a coach, I do not want to strengthen our rivals. In addition, Armenian clubs are not ready to pay as much as European ones. But if there is a good offer one day and the player wants to move there, we will discuss it,” the head coach said.

Thus, despite a successful end to the season and qualification for the Conference League, Alashkert face an important task — to keep their leaders and strengthen the squad properly before the start of the European campaign.

Alashkert last played in European competitions in the 2023/24 season, when they were eliminated in the second qualifying round of the Conference League. In the 2021/22 season, Alashkert became the first Armenian club to reach the group stage of the Conference League.