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An interview with Ian Rush

Written by robbgenghis

No, not the famous Ian Rush but the current Wales U20 manager Ian_Rush. The Ed asks questions about his team and the U20’s

1. Starting with the usual one - what got you interested in Hattrick and how long have you been playing?

When I was a child, football was my favourite sport.
really .... still is my favourite sport.
I like to play football managers too so when I found, in 2005, Hattrick,
I immediately fell in love.

2. I notice you’ve got teams in the Czech Republic and Wales. Any particular reason you chose Wales for your 2nd team?

Wales was the clear choice because my favourite national team is Cymru and when I was younger I loved welsh striker Ian Rush.

3. With the username Ian_Rush it didn’t surprise me that you’ve got Liverpool listed as one of your supported teams but any particular reasons for supporting Cardiff and Rangers?

Good question, here’s the answer.
Glasgow Rangers is still my favourite team for I think 15+ years. I don’t know how it started. Maybe some friends relation with Reds, maybe in later years few transfers from Rangers to Reds... Wilson, Adam ...
Fact is that I supported this team many years too in good and bad times.
And finally Cardiff.
I admit that this love is little younger then my love with Reds and Rangers.
I saw some matches they played in Premier league in 2013/2014 and they were great! Yeah, they were last, but they played very well.
Peter Whittingham, Craig Bellamy were amazing.
And mainly Craig earlier played on Anfield ;)
So I support these three teams and still enjoy watching them.

4. As we’ve mentioned the great Ian Rush how do you think he compares to Liverpool’s current big goal hero Mo Salah?

Mo Salah is amazing, but still it was his first season in Liverpool.
Ian was a god for me for longer time. But we will see.
Problem in current Reds is, that if we have a good player ... we cannot hold on to them for a long time.
For example Suárez, Sterling, Coutinho.
Earlier Mascherano, Owen.
Real and Barca are bigger teams for them

5. Random question – what is your favourite flavour of ice cream

Stracciatella (wow, even I had to look this up – sounds great)

6. What’s more important - winning the league or cup with Dragonbreath FC or a successful U20 team?

For me the successful U20 team is first place.
Dragons are my experiment with some plan. But naturally I’m glad if I win something.

7. So you’re U20 manager. What made you want to do it and how do you think it’s going?

I saw that U20 had problems with the national coach and we didn’t have a lot of time to redress. In the past I was a candidate in the election too but then I didn’t have a lot of experience yet. Actual plan is stabilize team, repair scouting, and prepare for next qualification. I told several managers and looked at our team condition and it will be better for us if we will build a golden generation. It is sad for owners current players, but it will be better for our future U20 and NT too. So higher investment and looking to the future.

8. I’ve noticed you were previously Czech U20 manager too. Are you finding the Wales U20’s a bit more difficult with less users in Wales?

Yeah, Wales is smaller and has a smaller pool of players.
It is more difficult undoubtedly.

9. Another obvious one - any plans for ditching the U20 in the future and going for the Welsh senior team?

Actually,no. Step by step, for me is more important scouting players for U20, writing plenty of emails to their owners, building next generation and then we will have new elections. So we will see, I would like to extend my term as national coach.

10. A chance for you to appeal to the welsh users – are there any U20 positions you feel we need more players to choose from? (I understand we are in need of goalkeepers)

All positions :)
The most important thing is:
Communication with staff. With me, or with scouts.
Every week looking for talents in Youth academy, optimal to have 3 scouts and ideal if you can take player.
Posting them to Youth Pulls (16306906.1), using HT portal (http://hattrickportal.pro/Tracker)
These are better things for us in our work.

11. Aside from football (real or HT) do you find the time for other hobbies/interests and what are they?

Yes sure. My family, wife, daughter. Gym, Fitness, bicycle, aquarium etc. :)

Thanks ian_rush, some great answers there. Remember anyone can volunteer for interviews or submit articles with a welsh basis. You can even interview someone in the same series as you (it doesn’t have to be me doing the interviews). All contributions welcome