Based on his statements, he wasn’t sure for a long time what he wanted. When did you decide to retire?
- I remember the moment: when Rodrigo Corrales signed his contract in Veszprém and I knew that we would have three goalkeepers for next season, I was completely sure that my career was over,“ Árpád Sterbik told to “Nemzeti Sport”. It’s not like it was so unexpected, because at the time I confirmed to Veszprém in 2018, I talked to the club’s management and coach David Davis that when my contract expires in two years, I will end the active game.
I don’t think that’s how you planned the retreat!
- Indeed, I stopped sooner than I thought because I couldn’t choose anything else in March because of the virus situation, but I admit I didn’t have the intention to continue anymore. I got an offer or two, but I decided because I didn’t want to continue if I couldn’t play at the highest level.
How did you spend the time in the quarantine?
- I’m bored like everyone else. We couldn’t do too much, although there was still some hope in the first few weeks that maybe we could continue the season anyway. We continued to train, but as time went on, a little everyone lost their temper because we saw that there would be nothing of it. I came to terms with the situation relatively quickly, accepting that it is, the end of my season.
And about your career… Didn’t you mind not stopping like that after all these years?
- Interesting, but not. I’m already in my forty-first year this year, and although I counted, I saw that at this age, after so many omissions, it would be very difficult to return. Actually, I’ve had a lot in a month or two. And this half-year omission is almost as much as it used to be a military service.
Did you recommend Rodrigo Corrales as your possible successor?
- We looked for goalkeepers in my place and watched whose contract expire. We had a list for each post, accordingly we tried to transfer the first, if it fails, then the second, and so on. David Davis asked what I thought of him and I told him I thought he would be a perfect fit for this club. We wanted to find the best possible solution, so Rodrigo came into the picture, who is a great goalkeeper, has been defending in the Champions League for a long time, where he consistently excels, and I think he has a great future ahead of him because he can still improve.
When did you get a job as a goalkeeper?
- It’s only been a week because the first two weeks of preparation were still there for the guys to jump back to work and work primarily with the fitness coach. After the long break, most of the injury prevention tasks were performed, stretched, and practiced. We started training harder this week, but I’m not worried, we’re on time because we started the program very early.
Does the new role feel weird?
- Sometimes I really don’t know where my place is or which side to take. But it feels good to work with three goalkeepers like Rodrigo Corrales, Vladimir Cupara and Márton Székely, who would take their place in the world of handball anywhere, on any team. I’m trying myself, as this role is new to me, and no matter how much experience I have, it’s not easy at all. Goalkeepers have to be dealt with differently because they think differently, they have to make different decisions, often in just half a second. You have to be very mentally focused on this post. And I see that it’s not that easy to pass on knowledge or hone on it because no one is the same, all three are defending in different styles. But I try to develop them separately, I think it will work flawlessly.
Then you’ll never put on your jersey again?
- Never in a betting match. Only if I have a farewell match and they let me on the field.
Did we hear well that you’re involved in winemaking?
- I love good wine, and I thought I’d try winemaking myself at the end of my career. Just to have a little garden work. I have a little vineyard on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, (Balatonszepezd), I have fun with it, but I just started, I planted it recently and I have to learn this. There is a lot to look for, so I will be asking for help from my winemaker acquaintances. My father, by the way, cultivated it on a hobby level because his company wineries and because they have an orchard, they also make brandy. So, this activity is not completely foreign to me, but I will need help, for sure.
