Yury Zhirkov: Everyone in Anzhi knows what a legend Hiddink is and we try to follow his instructions

Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder Yury Zhirkov spoke about the changes at the Dagestan club brought about by Guus Hiddink’s arrival.

«In training we do more in-game exercises, like we used to in the national team [when he was Russia’s head coach – Sports.ru.] As for the atmosphere in the club, everyone seemed to calm down when his appointment was announced, all the players are more jolly and cheerful.»

«Is Hiddink’s coaching style relaxed, or does he «turn the screws»?

«He made our training regimes more entertaining, but our day-to-day lives have become more organized. Everyone has to arrive on time to lunch and dinner, be dressed the same etc. It’s the simple things, but it’s good to have some discipline.

«How did your team-mates react to these new regulations?»

«It was alright. Everyone knows what a big manager he is, so we listen to him very carefully. In fact, this discipline seems to have liberated the team.»

«How so?»

«People started joking around about being late, taking the mickey out of each other, so the spirits are high in the club,» Zhirkov told Sport-Express.