Gyulbudaghyants aiming high with Banants

After becoming the first Armenian coach to receive a UEFA PRO Licence, Armen Gyulbudaghyants is determined to put theory into practice and lead FC Banants to the title for the first time in 2009.

Dream come true
"I've attended every UEFA coaching seminar over the course of the year and now I'm happy as my dream has been achieved," Gyulbudaghyants told uefa.com. "If I want to make the most of what I have learnt I have to work very hard and I'm ready for that." The 42-year-old will have his work cut out as he looks to loosen FC Pyunik's eight-year grip on the Armenian title. Gyulbudaghyants left Pyunik by mutual consent eleven games into last season to join Banants, but his replacment Vardan Minasyan still acknowledges the role he played in the champions' success. "I didn't change anything in the way the team played," he said. "I used the same tactics as Gyulbudaghyants."
 
Faith in youth
As a player Gyulbudaghyants helped Banants win the inaugural Armenian Cup in 1992 and returned as coach for a first stint in charge at the end of his playing career after first taking charge of the Armenian Under-21 side. He has worked at various youth levels with the Football Federation of Armenia and is best known in the country for his work with young players. That faith in youth was key to Pyunik's title success last season.

Forward thinking
Gyulbudaghyants has since set about instilling the same policy at Banants, though it was too late to salvage a disappointing campaign last season that ended with Banants fifth in the eight-team league. Club president Sargis Israelyan, however, believes Banants are now on the right track. "We made several mistakes last year," he told uefa.com. "I'm talking about the signings of some players and coaches. To be honest, I wanted Gyulbudaghyants to join us earlier but he was busy in Pyunik. As soon as I got the opportunity to appoint him I did. In 2002 he helped the team finish third but this time I believe he will do even more."
 
New team
Gyulbudaghyants concurs. "We have to believe in ourselves," he said. "There are a lot of talented players in our academy and we will definitely use them." So good, in fact, that Gyulbudaghyants hopes they might soon be helping the national side as well. "When the club is winning only our fans are happy," he said. "However, when the national team wins three points the whole nation is happy."