There is no such thing as "correct" football: Gunko on the drastic changes expected at Pyunik and his three main requirements.
The specialist spoke about his playing style, his move to Pyunik, his goals, and the development of young footballers.
- Dmitri Ivanovich, welcome to Pyunik. What are your first impressions?
- My impressions are very pleasant. I am receiving text messages from people very close to me, writing "welcome back."
- When you received the offer from Pyunik, what was the main factor that led you to accept?
- The offer itself was the main factor. Naturally, I know and understand what Pyunik means for Armenia and Armenian football. That is why I didn't hesitate to accept the invitation. And here I am.
- Pyunik is a club where results are always expected. How do you personally handle the pressure? - Whenever our coaching staff joins a team, we always set the same goal—and it is always the ultimate one. And the path to achieving that ultimate goal inevitably entails pressure.
- What do you consider the primary indicator of a successful season: the trophy, the quality of football, the players' progress, or a combination of all these factors?
- That is quite a complex question. I believe that without progress and quality football, winning a trophy is likely unrealistic. That is why trophies are won through both the quality of football and, of course, player development—which is the focus of our entire training process and our overall philosophy for achieving results.
- You have worked in Armenia for several years and have won both the league title and the cup. Does this make your adaptation period at Pyunik any easier? - I think the adaptation period will be much easier than it was during my first year after arriving in Armenia—back in 2020. Having worked in Armenia for a long time, I understand the internal processes and grasp the external factors that influence results. This makes it easier for me to settle into the job at Pyunik without any difficulties.
- What kind of football do you want to see from Pyunik?
- Football aimed at achieving our set goals. Everyone wants attractive football, attacking football, and plenty of goals—and naturally, we want that too. However, our main focus will be on maintaining balance in our play, as well as adhering to clear requirements and principles—which, as I said, are essential for achieving results. - Dmitri Ivanovich, if we set aside all the tactical schemes, numbers, and statistics, what does "playing football the right way" mean to you?
- Playing football the right way... Let me tell you, there is no such concept. In other words, there is no "correct football." There is football, and it is very diverse. It is played in different ways across different continents. Even within a single coaching staff, it is evaluated in different ways. That is precisely why it is interesting and multifaceted—because it varies. There is no "correct football." After a match, if we win—regardless of the score—we will say that the way we played was the right way.
- As a club, Pyunik has chosen the path of developing young Armenian footballers. You have already produced several players for Armenia who are delivering results both for their clubs and for the national team. What is your philosophy regarding the development of young footballers?
- My coaching experience began at the Spartak Academy, which, in my opinion, is one of the best academies in Russia. That experience helps me understand exactly what young players need at various stages of their development—such as when they require moral support, given that young footballers inevitably make mistakes. In our work, we don't just use the "stick"; with young players, we rely more on the "carrot"—so to speak—to give them the confidence to know that making a mistake is acceptable, though repeating a mistake is likely bad, and repeating the *same* mistake is very bad. And this experience—these keys, in my opinion—fosters the development of young players. And yes, I truly see players in the Armenian national team with whom we started working, developed together, and won trophies together.
- You joined Pyunik while the season was already underway. How difficult is it to change the playing style when the season is already in progress?
- We aren't proponents of drastic changes. We don't want to radically disrupt the team's style of play. We understand the risks involved in switching to different principles. That is why we plan to introduce our game model, rules, and principles gradually—step by step and steadily—and see how it works. We are well-acquainted with more than half of the squad at our disposal. We have worked with some of them on previous teams. Others, I simply know from the Armenian league. As for the rest, we will get to know them as we work, and ultimately, the football pitch will reveal everything. - Pyunik still has many important matches ahead this season. What must serve as the team's foundation to ensure we navigate this period with the highest possible quality?
- Match discipline and motivation. I believe these are the two pillars upon which our playing principles are—and must be—based; they are the foundation for achieving results. We understand the dynamics of this race—or at least I hope we do—and we will work every day to ensure the players understand us, and to ensure that this motivation and match discipline remain the top priority.
- The next match is against BKMA. Is the team already preparing for that game and the resumption of the championship, even though several players are currently away with the national team? - I believe that any team begins preparing for the next match the moment the final whistle blows on the previous one. And Pyunik is no exception. We are preparing for the match against BKMA.
- And one final question: describe in three words the kind of football you want to see from Pyunik.
- That’s a good question. Describing it in three words is very difficult. We are preparing... Our coaching staff—comprising five coaches—is preparing a presentation on our game model. And they certainly won't be describing it in just three words there; otherwise, I’d fire the lot of them if they tried to sum up the game model in three words. It’s a very complex process. Reliability in defense... let that be the first word: reliability. The second word would be balance. And the third word would be courage.
- What message do you have for Pyunik’s fans? What should they expect from Dmitry Gunko and the team?
- I want the fans to come to the stadium and support the team every minute of the match—from the first to the last—regardless of how the game is unfolding. As for the team and myself, I can say that they will give their all on the pitch to achieve a result.As a player, Dmitri Gunko played for Spartak Moscow's second team, Tyumen, Spartak-Chukotka, Arsenal Tula, and Torpedo Vladimir.
After retiring from his playing career, he spent many years coaching within the Spartak Moscow system, leading the "Red-and-Whites'" youth team to two Russian youth championship titles under his guidance.
In March 2014, following the departure of Valery Karpin, Dmitri Gunko was appointed interim head coach of Spartak Moscow and led Russia's most decorated club until the end of the season. It is worth noting that, at that time, Armenian national team players Araz Ozbiliz and Yura Movsisyan were playing for Spartak under his leadership.
In August 2020, the specialist took charge of the Moscow-region club Khimki but stepped down from the position shortly thereafter.
Subsequently, Dmitry Gunko began his coaching career with Armenian teams, achieving his greatest success while working in Armenia.
In November 2020, Gunko was appointed head coach of Noah and, that same season, led the team to a runner-up finish in the Armenian championship.
The following season, he took charge of Ararat-Armenia in the Armenian Premier League (2021/22). ...season—this time with Ararat-Armenia—he finished as the league runner-up, missing out on the championship title by a single point to Pyunik.
In June 2022, Gunko was appointed head coach of Urartu; during the 2022/23 season, he led the team to a "Golden Double," winning both the Armenian championship and the Armenian Cup.
Based on the season's results, he was also named the Armenian Premier League's Best Coach.
Gunko left Urartu in June 2025 after a three-year tenure. In total, under his leadership, Urartu played 119 matches, recording 66 wins, 22 draws, and 31 losses.
Dmitry Gunko's previous position was at Arsenal Tula, a club he managed prior to June 2025. Under Gunko's leadership, the "Gunners" finished 13th in the previous Russian First League season. He stepped down as head coach of Arsenal Tula in September of this year.
Dmitri Gunko's coaching staff will include Dmitri Kudryashov, Nikolai Tyunin, and Igor Menshchikov. Assistant coach Artur Avagyan and physical conditioning coach Chiro Hosseini Vardei will also continue their work with the team's coaching staff.
