Gabalafc.Az shares Gabala Football Academy director Stanley Brard"s interview to nrc.nl of Netherlands about his experiences both at the club and in Azerbaijan.

Stanley Brard developed a lot of talents in Feyenoord. But now he is working on a new project in Azerbaijan. He was on the bicycle together with 18 players from Qabala SC. He speaks the native Azerbaijani language and usually speaks to the players in Azerbaijani. “Saga dönün”- says Brard to the players which means “stay on the right side”. The pitch where they are training belongs to the School of the village . Brard tells to the players: “You have to listen good. When I say all the bicycles must be on the right sides, you must follow it” The players bound heads as a sign of approval. 1.5 years ago Stanley Brard moved to Azerbaijan and he has been appointed as an Academy Director of “Gabala” since then. Now he is again in Holland. But this time with his new team-U14 “Gabala” team. He is going to participate in “Texel” Tournament with “Gabala”.

Jordi Classi
“Brard is one of the specialists who develop the best talents. ” Jordi Classi and Bruno Martins Indi and other big talents were developed by Brard when he worked at Feyenoord. When he was an Academy Director of Feyenoord , the Academy was chosen for 5 times as the best Academy of Holland. Brard developed many talents in Feyenoord. Around 30 players of his students now play in the main teams of Europe. He was doing well in Rotterdam. Brard’s success in youth football was also known in abroad. Eventually Brard got an invitation from Azerbaijani club “Gabala” SC.
Azerbaijan is a small country which is situated in the South Caucasus region. Azerbaijan gained independence from USSR in 1991. Since that time the nation took an integration route towards Europe. Azerbaijan holds various important sports and cultural events, one of them which is the first European Olympic Games. Baku has been also chosen as one of the 13 cities which will host the European Football Competition. The nation’s biggest enterprise “SOCAR” is one of the sponsors of UEFA. It is sponsoring “Atletico Madrid” and various other European clubs and eventually one can see “Land of Fire” sign in those clubs. “Azerbaijan is a growing nation. With its strong economic potential and hard working people, the country gained tremendous achievements in industry, culture and sport area.”-says Brard.

Brard lives with his wife in a small and beautiful town of Gabala. The town which has 15000 inhabitants is situated near Russian border.

“Gabala” SC belongs to the same town and the club has good facilities and infrastructure. “Gabala” SC was founded in 2005. Besides football, the club has different other sport departments such as judo, boxing, taekwondo and etc. The club is promoting sport among youth generation and gives boost to young talents. The club has invested several millions of money for developing of youth football. “”Gabala” has one of the best facilities in Azerbaijan. Everything is perfectly arranged for the players and coaches. The players are surrounded with love and care by the club.”-says Brard.
Truly “Gabala” has the most prestigious academy in Azerbaijan. Currently there are around 100 players at the dormitory of the academy. And many children want to be part of “Gabala”. But Brard and his staff have a careful stand on this matter. They deliberately check every player before accepting them to the academy. Especially, Brard and his coaches pay attention to the real age of players. “ “Gabala” highly values “Fair play” principles” –says Brard.

Before Azerbaijan, Brard was working in Japan. He has a goal to develop young talents in “Gabala”. His contract is still valid for 1.5 years. To the question if he can return to “Feyenoord”?, Brard answered: “Of course, I can return. But currently I am also in right place and I am surrounded with good specialists and good people”.

After the training the team players return from the pitch on the bicycles with Brard in front of them. Again he leads his players to the resort addressing them with his fluent Azerbaijani language.