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EXCLUSIVE Interview: Socceroo Nathan Burns On AEK Athens
Chris Paraskevas speaks to a young man beginning to find his feet in Greece.
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Jul 28, 2010 4:41:00 AM
By Chris Paraskevas
It wasn’t that long ago that Nathan Burns was the fresh-faced teenager lighting up the A-League with Adelaide United.
Speaking to Burns now, one senses a maturity about him that is unmistakably the sign of a player forced to fight for himself in what is an often volatile and unforgiving landscape in European football.
There are few environments that compare to Greece, with administrative politics and financial issues often dominating headlines more than football itself. It is within such a context that Burns, as a largely unproven foreigner, has had to prove himself.
As a club AEK Athens has seen presidents come and go in recent times, with fans this season having trashed the club’s headquarters, frustrated at the perilous financial state of the club.
Burns meanwhile was forced to seek first team football on loan with second tier outfit Kerkyra in a bid to impress his permanent employers, having failed to break into the AEK first team. The move was hugely successful with the Australian playing a key role in their promotion, returning to Athens with his reputation greatly improved.
Regardless of whether he finds regular football under legendary Serbian manager Dusan Bajevic this season, it has been an invaluable experience for an individual who says he has not only grown as a sportsman but as a person.
Goal: What have your impressions of AEK’s fans been like?
NB: They are probably some of the best fans in Greece. Some of the derby games against Olympiacos, you see the passion there and how much they believe in their team. It’s not just a team it’s more of a culture. I’ve witnessed it and I understand the passion of the fans.
Goal: Have you had to adapt to that culture of the club, the manner in which they pick the team and the politics of the club?
NB: That’s the whole point of going to Europe; you go out of your comfort zone. I’ve adapted, I’ve been there two years and I understand the whole culture over there now. I understand the way they think, the passion for their football and it’s completely different to Australia.
Goal: What was the difference in the attitude toward you when you first game to Greece and now that you’ve returned after a successful loan spell at Kerkyra? Is there a newfound respect for you?
NB: I always thought I was good enough to play for AEK but I haven’t done anything in Europe. Going to Corfu showed I can hold my own, going to a team that got promoted and of which I was a main part. I definitely got the respect from the Greeks, which was important.
Goal: What has stood out most about your experience at AEK since moving overseas?
NB: Probably just the fans. I haven’t seen anything like it and you can’t really describe one of our derby games. You’ve got to be very careful, also with the media. They’re very strict because we’ve got a paper [dedicated to the team] coming out every day and they have ways of finding out information. You’ve got to be very careful about what you do, what you say, so obviously that was a big change whereas in Australia everybody seems to be friends and things get along smoothly. In Greece it’s a big talking point.
Goal: Is it different being part of a squad with so many big name players, with so much inevitable scrutiny on them? It really is a 24-7 job...
NB: That’s true, our squad can reach up to 30 players and only 11 can play, so the rest are going to be angry! That was obviously a big change because in Australia you pick your starting XI with the paycheques obviously, you have a couple of fringe players and that’s your squad. In our team we pretty much had two starting line-ups and you don’t know who is going to play. There’s no salary cap, so some players can be on huge money and that’s a big difference also: it’s very competitive.
Goal: I imagine dealing with the ups and downs, the communication barrier, can be tough as well. There have been pre-seasons where you’ve seen game time but had no role in the first team during the season proper.
NB: That’s football. You’ve got to take your opportunities. This pre-season I’ve done well and it’s different to the other years because I’m in a much higher position than I was for the last couple of years. Obviously in pre-season you get a look-in and when the season starts you need a bit of luck. Once you get that break you’ve got to stay in the side. Football can change very quickly.
Goal: How important was the decision to go on loan to Kerkyra? It turned around your fortunes in Greece but did you ever consider returning to Australia when things weren’t going quite as well?
NB: I never thought about coming back to Australia. I had two years here and thought I did enough in Australia, I felt I already proved myself here. I left to go overseas for a reason and even now I have no intention of coming back, I want to push myself and I plan on spending the next ten years in Europe. Obviously if it doesn’t go according to plan I’ll have to make some detours but at this stage I have no intention of coming back to Australia at this stage.
Goal: What’s the lifestyle like off the pitch in Greece?
NB: Well, we’re doing pre-season in 40 degree heat! But obviously the lifestyle in Greece is fantastic, you have great weather, the life is good and it’s one of the easiest cities to live in. It’s very touristy so most people speak English and I don’t have a problem with the language barrier.
Goal: You often read about personality clashes within the AEK squad. Big personalities breed such clashes I suppose?
NB: I think it happens everywhere. It’s just that maybe the Greek media like to talk about it whereas other teams like Australia – in AFL for example – they try to hide the bad publicity. In our team they try to bring it out because it brings media attention.
Goal: Is it blown out of proportion?
NB: They just speak the truth, maybe it’s not out of proportion. Perhaps in some situations but other clubs try to hide these situations whereas in Greece they like to talk about them – it’s their life.
Goal: Have you had to change the way you live in Greece because of the media scrutiny off the pitch?
NB: You don’t really have to change your life but you just have to be responsible. Don’t do stupid things like walk out of a club at four in the morning. There’s a time and a place for everything and this is what being a professional footballer is all about.
Goal: How’s your Greek coming along?
NB: Not very good!
Goal: Do you have problems communicating with the rest of the squad?
NB: Most of our squad speak English because it’s a very internationally flavoured team. Most of them are Spanish so most of the problems you have aren’t with the Greek players but with the Argentineans. You need a translator to help with a couple of things but football is it’s own language.
Goal: Are AEK’s financial struggles something you’re aware of?
NB: You’re aware of it because money is a big factor in football but we don’t really discuss it between players, you have your own contract to worry about. It is a big problem. They’re always trying to fix it and new presidents are coming in all the time. But now we have a good base, a good president and I think in the future we’re on the right track.
Goal: Has there been any indication from AEK as to how long they want to keep you?
NB: I’ve got two more years on my contract and I think they want me along at this stage. As long as I’m playing and improving as a footballer it’s a big stage, so I’m happy to stay.
Speaking to Burns now, one senses a maturity about him that is unmistakably the sign of a player forced to fight for himself in what is an often volatile and unforgiving landscape in European football.
There are few environments that compare to Greece, with administrative politics and financial issues often dominating headlines more than football itself. It is within such a context that Burns, as a largely unproven foreigner, has had to prove himself.
As a club AEK Athens has seen presidents come and go in recent times, with fans this season having trashed the club’s headquarters, frustrated at the perilous financial state of the club.
Burns meanwhile was forced to seek first team football on loan with second tier outfit Kerkyra in a bid to impress his permanent employers, having failed to break into the AEK first team. The move was hugely successful with the Australian playing a key role in their promotion, returning to Athens with his reputation greatly improved.
Regardless of whether he finds regular football under legendary Serbian manager Dusan Bajevic this season, it has been an invaluable experience for an individual who says he has not only grown as a sportsman but as a person.
Goal: What have your impressions of AEK’s fans been like?
NB: They are probably some of the best fans in Greece. Some of the derby games against Olympiacos, you see the passion there and how much they believe in their team. It’s not just a team it’s more of a culture. I’ve witnessed it and I understand the passion of the fans.
Goal: Have you had to adapt to that culture of the club, the manner in which they pick the team and the politics of the club?
NB: That’s the whole point of going to Europe; you go out of your comfort zone. I’ve adapted, I’ve been there two years and I understand the whole culture over there now. I understand the way they think, the passion for their football and it’s completely different to Australia.
Goal: What was the difference in the attitude toward you when you first game to Greece and now that you’ve returned after a successful loan spell at Kerkyra? Is there a newfound respect for you?
NB: I always thought I was good enough to play for AEK but I haven’t done anything in Europe. Going to Corfu showed I can hold my own, going to a team that got promoted and of which I was a main part. I definitely got the respect from the Greeks, which was important.
Passion | Burns is in awe of AEK's fans
Goal: What has stood out most about your experience at AEK since moving overseas?
NB: Probably just the fans. I haven’t seen anything like it and you can’t really describe one of our derby games. You’ve got to be very careful, also with the media. They’re very strict because we’ve got a paper [dedicated to the team] coming out every day and they have ways of finding out information. You’ve got to be very careful about what you do, what you say, so obviously that was a big change whereas in Australia everybody seems to be friends and things get along smoothly. In Greece it’s a big talking point.
Goal: Is it different being part of a squad with so many big name players, with so much inevitable scrutiny on them? It really is a 24-7 job...
NB: That’s true, our squad can reach up to 30 players and only 11 can play, so the rest are going to be angry! That was obviously a big change because in Australia you pick your starting XI with the paycheques obviously, you have a couple of fringe players and that’s your squad. In our team we pretty much had two starting line-ups and you don’t know who is going to play. There’s no salary cap, so some players can be on huge money and that’s a big difference also: it’s very competitive.
Goal: I imagine dealing with the ups and downs, the communication barrier, can be tough as well. There have been pre-seasons where you’ve seen game time but had no role in the first team during the season proper.
NB: That’s football. You’ve got to take your opportunities. This pre-season I’ve done well and it’s different to the other years because I’m in a much higher position than I was for the last couple of years. Obviously in pre-season you get a look-in and when the season starts you need a bit of luck. Once you get that break you’ve got to stay in the side. Football can change very quickly.
Goal: How important was the decision to go on loan to Kerkyra? It turned around your fortunes in Greece but did you ever consider returning to Australia when things weren’t going quite as well?
NB: I never thought about coming back to Australia. I had two years here and thought I did enough in Australia, I felt I already proved myself here. I left to go overseas for a reason and even now I have no intention of coming back, I want to push myself and I plan on spending the next ten years in Europe. Obviously if it doesn’t go according to plan I’ll have to make some detours but at this stage I have no intention of coming back to Australia at this stage.
Goal: What’s the lifestyle like off the pitch in Greece?
NB: Well, we’re doing pre-season in 40 degree heat! But obviously the lifestyle in Greece is fantastic, you have great weather, the life is good and it’s one of the easiest cities to live in. It’s very touristy so most people speak English and I don’t have a problem with the language barrier.
Goal: You often read about personality clashes within the AEK squad. Big personalities breed such clashes I suppose?
NB: I think it happens everywhere. It’s just that maybe the Greek media like to talk about it whereas other teams like Australia – in AFL for example – they try to hide the bad publicity. In our team they try to bring it out because it brings media attention.
Proving Himself | Burns turned heads on loan
Goal: Is it blown out of proportion?
NB: They just speak the truth, maybe it’s not out of proportion. Perhaps in some situations but other clubs try to hide these situations whereas in Greece they like to talk about them – it’s their life.
Goal: Have you had to change the way you live in Greece because of the media scrutiny off the pitch?
NB: You don’t really have to change your life but you just have to be responsible. Don’t do stupid things like walk out of a club at four in the morning. There’s a time and a place for everything and this is what being a professional footballer is all about.
Goal: How’s your Greek coming along?
NB: Not very good!
Goal: Do you have problems communicating with the rest of the squad?
NB: Most of our squad speak English because it’s a very internationally flavoured team. Most of them are Spanish so most of the problems you have aren’t with the Greek players but with the Argentineans. You need a translator to help with a couple of things but football is it’s own language.
Goal: Are AEK’s financial struggles something you’re aware of?
NB: You’re aware of it because money is a big factor in football but we don’t really discuss it between players, you have your own contract to worry about. It is a big problem. They’re always trying to fix it and new presidents are coming in all the time. But now we have a good base, a good president and I think in the future we’re on the right track.
Goal: Has there been any indication from AEK as to how long they want to keep you?
NB: I’ve got two more years on my contract and I think they want me along at this stage. As long as I’m playing and improving as a footballer it’s a big stage, so I’m happy to stay.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
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