First foreigner to lead the Ukraine national football team: Andrea Maldera officially replaces Rebrov
Kyiv • UNN
The UAF has appointed Andrea Maldera as the head coach of the Ukraine national team, replacing Serhiy Rebrov. The contract with the Italian is set for two years.
Italian coach Andrea Maldera has taken charge of the Ukraine national football team following the dismissal of Serhiy Rebrov. Maldera previously worked with the national team as an assistant to head coach Andriy Shevchenko, who currently serves as the president of the UAF. This was reported by UNN with reference to the UAF.
The Ukrainian Association of Football announces the appointment of a new head coach for the national team. Andrea Maldera has become the new head coach of the Ukrainian national team. Thus, for the first time, the Ukrainian national team is headed by a foreign coach
As indicated by the UAF, the candidacy of the Italian specialist was approved by the UAF Executive Committee upon the recommendation of the National Teams Committee.
"The contract with Andrea Maldera is designed for two years with an option for extension," the UAF noted.
Addendum
Andrea Maldera is a 54-year-old Italian football coach and a specialist in tactical and technical analysis.
From 2006 to 2016, he worked within the structure of Italy's AC Milan, and from 2016 to 2021, he was an assistant to Andriy Shevchenko, who headed the Ukrainian national team at that time.
Maldera's last place of work was the French club Marseille, where he served as an assistant to head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who previously managed Shakhtar Donetsk.
During Maldera's tenure as Shevchenko's assistant, the Ukrainian national team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup held in Russia; however, in 2021, they managed to qualify for Euro 2020, where they ended their run in the quarterfinals after losing 4-0 to England. This result remains Ukraine's best performance at the European Championships.
Interestingly, in 2019, after the Ukrainian national team's victory in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, Maldera got a tattoo featuring the coat of arms and flag of Ukraine.
As it turned out, this was a promise he had made.
"Once, the coaching staff and I were discussing the qualifying group. I said: 'If we make it to the Euro, I will get a tattoo with Ukrainian symbols.' I kept my word. I am very happy to wear the Ukrainian flag on my body. Ukraine is part of my life. I am Ukrainian and Italian," Maldera said.
Earlier, UNN reported that the Ukrainian Association of Football would hold a press conference on Monday, May 18, to announce the name of the new coach of the Ukraine national football team.
Today, the UAF posted a video hinting at the new leader. In the video, Andrea Maldera enters the hall where the UAF leadership is gathered.
The national team under Maldera's leadership will play a friendly match against Poland on May 31, and against Denmark on June 7.
Reminder
Serhiy Rebrov has left the post of head coach of the Ukraine national football team.