New Leadership for Ukraine's Youth Squad
Dmytro Mykhailenko is set to take over as head coach of Ukraine's under-21 football team, replacing Unai Melgosa, whose contract will not be renewed. Journalist Mykhailo Spivakovsky broke the news, stating:
“From what I know, the Spanish specialist's contract won't be extended. The new head coach, and this logic was pretty clear, should be Dmytro Mykhailenko.”
Currently, Mykhailenko serves as the head coach of Ukraine's U-19 national team. The U-19 squad has already secured its spot in the 2026 European Championship. Melgosa led the U-21 side since July 2023, overseeing 27 matches with 13 wins, 5 draws, and 9 losses. Under his guidance, the team competed in Euro 2025 but failed to advance past the group stage. As of now, Ukraine's U-21 team sits third in Group H of the Euro 2027 qualifiers, holding 8 points after six rounds.
Upcoming Matches and Senior Team Updates
According to the schedule, the U-21 team will host Turkey on September 26 and Croatia on October 2. Meanwhile, Andrea Maldera has been appointed head coach of Ukraine's senior national team, signing a two-year contract with an option to extend. He will make his debut on May 31 in a friendly against Poland, followed by another friendly against Denmark on June 7. Maldera's assistants include:
- Volodymyr Yezerskyi – former Dnipro defender
- Taras Stepanenko – ex-captain of Shakhtar Donetsk
- Pasquale Catalano – Maldera's compatriot
This coaching change for the youth team marks a pivotal step in preparing the squad for future competitions, particularly the Euro 2027 qualifiers. As an experienced coach, Mykhailenko faces the challenge of not only improving results but also nurturing a new generation of players for international success. At the same time, Maldera's appointment to the senior team signals Ukraine's push for renewal and greater competitiveness on the European stage. These developments reflect a broader strategy to strengthen the country's football pipeline from youth to senior levels.
As Mykhailenko steps into his new role, it's essential to note the broader context of coaching changes within Ukrainian football. Recently, the senior national team also underwent a significant shift, with a new head coach appointed to lead them into upcoming matches. For more insights on this important transition and its implications for the future of Ukrainian football, check out the details in our article about the new head coach of the national team.