‘I love her so much’ – Timur Tutierov on his ‘English mum’ and finding a safe home at Sunderland after Ukraine war upheaval
Timur Tutierov opens up on leaving war-torn Ukraine, finding safety at Sunderland and his love for his ‘English mum’
For Timur Tutierov, Sunderland means much more than the opportunity to fulfil a footballing ambition. It is the place where he has found support, a second family and a sense of safety after leaving a country at war. Asked what the club means to him now, his answer is simple: “A lot. It’s my home.”
The forward’s journey has involved upheaval, repeated injuries and the frustration of watching his ambitions interrupted. Through it all, the people around him on Wearside have helped him keep believing. His gratitude extends beyond the training pitches to the home and relationships that helped him settle into a different country.
“War in Ukraine at the moment, I left, and I’m here right now. I have my own house. I was with a host parent when I first came. She’s like my English mum, and I love her so much. The whole environment built around me, Sunderland is my home where I can be and feel safe.”
Those words offer a perspective on his progress that extends well beyond appearances and goals. Behind the footballer trying to establish himself is a young man who has experienced the uncertainty of leaving home and the difficulty of life during war. His route to Sunderland included a spell in Spain and a return to Ukraine.
“We left with my family; we lived for a little bit in Spain, then when football started in Ukraine we went back, and I played for half a season, then I arrived in Sunderland. In terms of the war, it’s not a nice experience to leave a war-torn country, and I feel sorry for the Ukrainians. Even when I’ve been there, it’s so hard when you don’t have lights, water, sometimes food in the supermarkets because of the logistical problems. I appreciate Sunderland because I’m here. I feel sorry for all Ukrainians.”
The people who helped him keep believing
Finding security on Wearside did not mean his footballing progress was straightforward. Injuries repeatedly prevented Tutierov from building momentum, testing his patience as he worked towards the first team. He credits Sunderland’s academy staff with helping him through those setbacks, both as a player and as a person.
“My journey was hard. I came across lots of injuries, and it was different injuries that stopped me from getting my goal. I started playing, then got injured and the same again, and it delayed it. I kept believing because of the people around here, the coaching staff in the academy, they supported me every time, and they helped me to learn.
“Sometimes my behaviour wasn’t great at times but they understand and keep pushing me and they’re key to my success. I wouldn’t say I was bad, but when you are young, and you demand a lot, when you get injured you get emotional. They helped me with that so I focus on the goal and don’t get distracted.”
It is a candid assessment of the frustration that can accompany a young player’s development. Tutierov wanted to progress, but injuries repeatedly forced him to wait. The staff helped him channel that ambition and remain focused, with Graeme Murty and Matt Craddock among those he singled out when asked how much the club had helped.
“A lot. Murts was one of the big parts of my success because of the knowledge he gave me and the football IQ. I appreciate him a lot. Going back to behaviour, he helped me to stick with the goal. Matt is a great coach also. Unfortunately, I don’t work with him a lot, but from my experience it’s been a pleasure to work with him.”
Despite those interruptions, his opportunity at Premier League level has arrived sooner than he anticipated. The belief was always there, even if the timing has surprised him. For Tutierov, reaching this point has also given his family and friends something to celebrate after sharing the uncertainty of his journey.
“Probably I would say not yet, but my dream was to do that, and I had and have belief that I can play at Premier League level, and obviously it’s happened earlier than I expected and I was so excited about that and so happy. Not just me, my family and friends.”
Belief in a Sunderland response
Tutierov’s personal progress has come during a difficult league spell for Sunderland. While his own experiences give him reasons to cherish being here, he is clear that the team must improve. Asked about the dressing-room mood, he pointed to the work being done in training and his belief that results will follow.
“We all know what we have to do; it’s not been the start we expected, but there are so many games to play, and I do believe we will bounce back. The attitude we show in training, the games we play, show us that we can. I hope it’s going to happen soon.”
Balancing different competitions brings further demands, with Sunderland seeking to carry their more encouraging performances into their league campaign. Tutierov acknowledges the disappointment of recent results but insists the players’ mentality remains consistent. His emphasis is on continuing to work and finding a way to turn promising spells into better outcomes.
“We have a mentality, and our mentality doesn’t change. We have some unfortunate results, which is disappointing for us, but I think it happens sometimes. We have to work hard, because we are showing good football in some of the games. A bit of luck and a bit of work, and I think it will work out.”
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Tutierov’s persistence has already been central to reaching this point. Though injuries and war delayed his progress, the support of his host parent, coaches and those around the academy helped him continue towards his goal. His affection for Sunderland comes from all of that: the footballing opportunity, the people who stayed patient with him and the feeling of having somewhere he belongs.
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