Matjaž Kek would not oppose a naturalized representative, he highlighted Agustin Doff: “Good foreigners can only help us”
Photo: Luka Vovk / Sportida
For Agustin Doffo to one day play for the Slovenian national team would be an unrealistic expectation. After all, he is already 29 years old and has only been playing in Slovenia for two years. By the time he meets all the requirements to play in a Slovenian jersey (continuous residence in the country for at least 5 years), he would already be 32 years old. However, Agustin Doffo, a midfielder for Olimpija, is the type of footballer who could still be very useful to Slovenia, says the Slovenian coach Matjaž Kek. In an interview with Delo, he made it clear that he wouldn’t be opposed to having a naturalized player on the team—provided, of course, that he is good enough.
“Olimpija’s foreign players really played (in the match against Rijeka, editor’s note) in such a way that our young footballers can properly develop alongside them. I don’t know if Marko Ristić would have performed as well if Olimpija’s foreign players were disinterested and of low quality. Firstly, this can certainly be a good thing—of course, given the quality and attitude they show, along with the undisputed quality of the club’s coaching staff, which is evident. And secondly, if all conditions are met, why not consider granting a passport?” the Maribor native clearly stated in an interview with Delo.
Kek: “The ideal model for Slovenian football”
Matjaž Kek did not want to mention any names, but as mentioned, he did talk about the Argentine player from Olimpija, for whom he does not hide his admiration. But it’s not just because of his playing abilities.
“It’s not about names. We should not be opposed to accepting quality foreign players—this was also evident in the match between Olimpija and Rijeka. Clearly, I would also prefer to see at least five or six homegrown players in each of our teams, but good foreign players can only help us. I stress, good ones. The respect that Agustin Doffo, for example, has earned, or that some other players in Olimpija are earning, can only be a good thing. Moreover, if Ristić, Marcel Ratnik, and others continue to develop well alongside them, we would achieve the ideal model for Slovenian football. We will find it difficult to make a qualitative leap on our own,” added Matjaž Kek in an interview with Delo. This month, he faces the opening matches after Euro 2024—in Stožice, Slovenia will host Austria and Kazakhstan.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
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