Ruud Gullit: I came to Terek for money and adventure

Dutch coach Ruud Gullit has revealed why he had agreed to take charge of Terek Grozny.

«At the beginning there was no way I was going to come. I talked about it, thought about it and then I met the president in Geneva. I spoke to people before I came and my friend who is a publisher in Moscow gave me his son, Tom, to be my interpreter. So I knew it must be safe if he was sending his son there. The money is good, I’m not going to lie. I’m here for that and the adventure. And every day is an adventure.

«To see a Kalashnikov on every corner was a shock. I was, of course, a little scared at first but when you get the chance to meet people and walk around, you get a different feel. There are people returning here after 10 years away and they are so happy with what they’re seeing.

«When I arrived for the first time, we drove from the airport and every 200 metres there was a sign saying, «Ruud Gullit – Welcome to Grozny». It was crazy. People here have life much better than they have done in the past 10 years – so who am I to judge?

«I don’t have to deal with Kadyrov. He doesn’t pay me. A sponsor pays me so I can distance myself from it. Politics and football don’t mix,» stated Gullit in an interview with the Daily Mail.