Reigning Armenian champions Ararat-Armenia have accused national team head coach Yeghishe Melikyan of attempting to divert attention from the team’s performances after he publicly criticized the club’s manager, Manuel Tulipa.
Speaking at a press conference following the penultimate Nations League group-stage match against Cyprus, Melikyan told Tulipa “not to stick his nose into” matters concerning his work, Factor.am reports.
Ararat-Armenia responded with a statement titled “The Subtle Art of Changing the Subject,” defending Tulipa’s earlier remarks and questioning Melikyan’s decision to revisit the dispute.
According to the club, Tulipa had sought to defend midfielder Zhirayr Shaghoyan, who left the national team camp early following what Ararat-Armenia described as Melikyan’s “non-constructive” decisions.
The club said its coaching staff worked with Shaghoyan to help him regain his form, allowing him to perform well in recent matches for both Ararat-Armenia and the national team.
Ararat-Armenia also urged Melikyan not to mistake the club’s restraint for weakness or address clubs in a commanding tone, noting that it has been among the national team’s main sources of players in recent years.
The statement described Tulipa’s original comments as well-intentioned advice to control emotions and treat players with respect.
“Did Manuel Tulipa’s remarks […] really deserve to be brought up at a press conference against the backdrop of the national team’s recent performances?” the club asked.
“It appears that this is an attempt to divert football fans’ attention from the national team’s performances,” the statement concluded.
