[ad_1]
This season, a 36-year-old Henok Goitom has played in every Allsvenskan game for AIK, despite a difficult schedule. The goal against IFK Norrköping (2-2) on Monday also means that the team captain scored in three games in a row.
For coach Bartosz Grzelak, there is no doubt that Goitom has been important to AIK this year.
– From the outside, I think it can be difficult to see what it has meant for the team. Because he has lined up many times when he has not been fully in battle, because there were no other “nine” available. And then I also think a bit about the period ahead of him (Grzelak took over after firing Rikard Norling at the end of July), says the coach.
– Since I came in, I’ve had to work with Henok to keep him fresh for games, and he has an impact both on and off the field. Especially in younger guys. He guides those players and I would say he has a huge impact on this team.
At the end of the season, the contract as a player of the former La Liga player expires. If he does not continue to play, a two-year contract as an assistant coach will be activated. According to coach Bartosz Grzelak, the ball is in Goitom’s court about the future. Grzelak believes that he and AIK would like the team captain to continue playing.
– I think that in Henok’s case it all depends on how he feels. It is challenging to play at this level at this age, so I think you should feel prepared both mentally and physically. Physically, he does not have major problems or defects that drag him down, but it is a mental environment in which you may have to train more than before, but perhaps in a different way, to be in shape for a whole year. If you can handle it, I will gladly see you again.
Goitom himself explains that he and sporting director Henrik Jurelius will sit down to discuss the future when the season is over.
– After that, there is time to talk. Regardless of whether I play or not, I will stay in Karlberg. It’s not like he finds a new club or something, and that way it’s not stressful compared to others who may have outgoing contracts and need to start planning for their future, says the forward.
Are you eager to keep playing?
– So, I can say this: if you asked the question in July, I would have said… not that I hate football, but I had a bit of that feeling. I never managed to recover and I came to the games and felt: “I have nothing to give”, because the match schedule was as it was and I had to play almost every game. That way it was difficult.
– But now that it has become a little more scarce with the games, I feel like I add something to the team and now football feels wonderful. Now I love football. Hopefully I have that feeling all the time in the future.
When Fotbollskanalen asks Goitom what he thinks about Grzelak falling apart because he wants the veteran to continue playing, it is clear that the 36-year-old is thrilled.
– It feels unbelievably good. I will say that. It wasn’t long before many fans thought he was off the field. Now there are other shades. There you see how fast he can go in football. One day you are a famous captain who wins the gold of the Swedish championship, the next day they do not want to see you on the field.
– The most important thing for me is the sports director, the coach, the management and the players. If they are satisfied, I am satisfied.
So what does sporting director Henrik Jurelius say? He emphasizes that the club has a good dialogue with Goitom and that he is very happy with the forward’s great form.
– We’ll sit down. Right now I’m trying to get an overview of things, what our budget situation will look like for next year, etc. Then we can make a decision about 2021. But I’m incredibly happy with Henok’s form, he shows how important he is, says Jurelius.
– He did a damn job for the club. It’s been easy to criticize him, but he’s faced the fight in every game when we didn’t have that many options. He has done it with that honor. Now that it is not an equally tight match schedule, it shows what a good player he is.
