Bremen – SV Werder Bremen are very worried about their former coach Viktor Skripnik in the wake of the war in Ukraine. So far, there has been no direct contact between Werder officials and the 52-year-old, who is in charge of first division club Sorja Luhansk in his home country. The DeichStube asked around and received reassuring news about Skripnik from Honorary President Klaus-Dieter Fischer, at least for the moment.
“I’ve always been in contact with Viktor – even now in this really terrible situation. He told me that he was doing well given the circumstances,” reported Fischer. Cared for since summer Viktor Skripnik the Ukrainian club Luhansk, which, due to the precarious situation in this region, has long played its home games in the city of Zaporizhia, around 400 kilometers to the west, for security reasons. Where Skripnik is currently staying, he does not want to make public. There do not yet rule directly war, but explosions and sirens can already be heard in the distance. A return to his family in Bremen is for him Ukrainians not an issue at the moment.
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Werder Bremen: Viktor Skripnik remains in Ukraine despite the war
“Viktor told me that he wanted to stay,” says Fischer Viktor Skripnik known for more than 25 years. In 1996, the Ukrainian national player moved from Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk to the Weser. He was there to win the 1999 cup and was also one of the doubles winners in 2004. Fischer then brought him to the youth academy as a trainer SV Werder Bremen. In 2014, Skripnik took over the post of head coach at the pros. After two years he was released. He then worked at the Latvian club FC Riga and has been back in his homeland since 2019 Ukraine, which is attacked by Russia. “I will keep in touch with Viktor. We can all only hope that this senseless war will be over very quickly,” said Fischer. (knee)
Regarding the last report from February 25, 2022:
War in Ukraine: Werder Bremen worries about ex-coach Viktor Skripnik
Bremen – Clemens Fritz was visibly moved when he was asked about the war in Eastern Europe. “I was horrified to see what’s currently going on in Ukraine,” said Werder Bremen’s head of professional football on Friday during the press conference ahead of the upcoming northern derby against Hamburger SV (Sunday, 1:30 p.m.).
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to those who are directly affected. You notice once again how some things that seem incredibly important move a bit far into the background. I didn’t think it would come to this. When you see that, it’s awful what’s going on.”
Werder Bremen hopes that Viktor Skripnik will be safe in the Ukraine war
And the warlike events also cause one to look at Werder Bremen worried about a well-known former employee: Viktor Skripnik. The now 52-year-old once won the double as a player with Bremen and was also the head coach of the professionals between 2014 and 2016. He now coaches the Ukrainian first division club Sorja Luhansk, who have been playing their home games in the west of the country for a long time.
How is he currently doing? At least Clemens Fritz, Skripnik’s longtime companion, doesn’t know. “I have no contact with Viktor,” he explained. “You worry about everyone. One reads the cries for help coming from the Ukraine come. If you know people, it’s something else again.” And that’s why Fritz emphasized with a look at Viktor Skripnik and his team. “One can only hope that everyone is safe and that he is doing well.” That should also apply to Skripnik’s compatriot Yuri Maximow, who once also wore the jersey as a player SV Werder Bremen wore. Most recently, the now 53-year-old looked after the Worskla Poltawa team. (mbu)