Bledi Shkëmbi, the new coach of the National U-19 Team: "Dream come true, we hope to follow in the footsteps of the National Team A"

The Albanian Football Federation has reached an agreement with coach Bledi Shkëmbi to take over the leadership of the National U-19 Team.

The former national team footballer, who has been embarking on a coaching career for years, will replace Ervin Bulku in this role, who will be part of the technical staff of coach Sylvinho.

Bledi Shkëmbi is a well-known name in our country, as he has been one of the most prominent players of his generation. He also has 14 appearances with the National Team A, and as a coach, he has worked with clubs like Teuta and Dinamo in Albania, as well as Liria and Ballkani in Kosovo. Now his task will be to assist in the development of the red and black talents.

In a statement, the Technical Director of the AFF, Fulvio Pea, explained the reasons for this change in the National U-19 Team. He appreciated the work done by coach Ervin Bulku, who will now have an even more important role as part of the technical staff of the National Team A, and then added that Bledi Shkëmbi will take over as the coach of the National U-19 Team.

"Before introducing the new coach, I want to talk a bit about the one who is leaving the National U-19 Team because he has been promoted to the A team, thus officially becoming a full-time member of the National Team A, Ervin Bulku, who for us has been an excellent collaborator because he has shown exceptional human values. This makes us very proud because for these qualities he was also valued by the coach of our National Team. The new coach of the National U-19 Team is former National Team player, Bledi Shkëmbi," said the Technical Director of the AFF, Fulvio Pea.

Bledi Shkëmbi said that leading the National U-19 Team is a dream come true.

"To lead a National Team is a pleasure, it's a dream. To be honest, I've always had this dream, just as players do, so do we coaches dream of coaching the National Team regardless of age. I definitely want to thank the Technical Director who made me this offer, and sincerely, a dream has come true for me that I hope to continue," said coach Shkëmbi initially.

Furthermore, he appreciated the significant changes that the AFF and Albanian football have undergone, especially in infrastructure, compared to the time when he represented the National Team as a player.

"As for the aspect of change, I think it's like night and day, in every aspect from the way of training, from the way things are done, and from the rise of a large football administration. I really heard from the outside, but now from the inside, I see and feel satisfaction that I am on the same ship with this large and successful group because I see that our National Team is succeeding, and we hope that youth football will follow in the footsteps of the senior National Team," he emphasized.

At the end of the statement, the new coach of the National U-19 Team also appreciated the project undertaken by the Technical Directorate at the AFF, "Step by Step," which allows the coaches of the youth National Teams to work every week at the "House of Football" facilities with local players who are part of Albanian clubs and academies.

"I am convinced that the 'Step by Step' project will help us a lot. I think not only us as staff, seeing almost every week the players we intend to have in the main group up close. But I am convinced that the players will also have a chance to show us and most importantly, they will have a chance to wear this beautiful jersey almost every week, to train in a good environment, with very good conditions. I hope and am convinced that both sides will see improvement," concluded Bledi Shkëmbi.