Ukraine National Football Team Gets New Coach: How Shevchenko Left, Who Was the Main Candidate and Who Ultimately Took Charge of the Team

Oleksandr Petrakov has been appointed head coach of the national team.

Oleksandr Petrakov has been appointed interim head coach of the Ukrainian national football team. The search for a new head coach began in early August, and here are the main details. 

How Shevchenko Left 

On August 1, Andriy Shevchenko, now the former head coach of the Ukrainian national football team, announced that he was leaving his post because his contract with the Ukrainian Association of Football had expired. 

Andriy Shevchenko
former head coach of the Ukrainian national football team

My contract with the Ukrainian Association of Football expired today. I spent five years with the country's main team. It was hard work that proved we are capable of playing modern football. 

He expressed gratitude to the president and executive committee of the UAF, to every player, to everyone who helped and was involved with the team, and to all fans for their support and criticism: "Together we managed to show that our football can be competitive, productive and interesting. With faith in Ukraine." 

A few days later, the UAF confirmed the end of Shevchenko's contract. Sources told Ukrainska Pravda that after Euro 2020, Shevchenko met with UAF head Andriy Pavelko. 

However, the UAF leadership was not satisfied with the new financial terms of the coaching staff: Shevchenko reportedly asked for a salary of €3 million per year for the coaching staff. Meanwhile, his previous contract included an option of 1 year + 1.5 with the consent of both parties. The contract was due to end in late 2022, after the World Cup in Qatar. 

Who Was the Main Candidate

The main candidate for the head coach position of the national team was Serhiy Rebrov. Miron Markevych, head of the UAF national teams committee, said that Rebrov would become the head coach. 

Miron Markevych
head of the UAF national teams committee

Taking this opportunity, I want to wish Serhiy Rebrov, who will be appointed the new head coach of the Ukrainian national team on August 9, every success. He can always count on my support. 

At the same time, Markevych announced that he was leaving his post at the UAF, as he believes he has not yet said his last word in coaching. Among the candidates, as media reported, were Dynamo coach Mircea Lucescu and Miron Markevych himself. 

Serhiy Rebrov took charge of the Emirati club Al-Ain in June after working at Hungary's Ferencvaros. Media reported that the coach had agreed with Al-Ain's management to terminate his contract and would soon move to the Ukrainian national team. It was noted that he was to sign a 2+1 contract with the UAF. 

Later, information emerged that the Ukrainian Association of Football had asked Al-Ain to allow Rebrov to break his contract and take charge of the Ukrainian national team, but the Emirati club refused. 

Serhiy Rebrov himself commented on the offer to become the national team coach and explained that it was impossible because he has a contract with a club in the UAE. 

Serhiy Rebrov
coach of Al-Ain

I would certainly be happy to take on the task of coaching my country's national team, but I currently have a contract, and if the club decides that I should leave, I will definitely take on the job of head coach of my country's national team. 

Who Became the New Head Coach of the National Team

UAF head Andriy Pavelko announced that Oleksandr Petrakov had been appointed interim head coach of the Ukrainian national football team. 

Andriy Pavelko
UAF head

Oleksandr Petrakov, 2019 World Champion with the Ukraine U-20 team, will prepare the national team for its upcoming qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup as interim head coach. The decision was made by the Executive Committee of the Ukrainian Association of Football. Oleksandr Vasilyevich is a world-renowned specialist with high authority among our football community, and has the necessary knowledge and experience to lead the country's main team at this stage. He therefore fully deserved the unanimous support of the Executive Committee members. 

As early as September, the Ukrainian national team must play two qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup against Kazakhstan and France.