Andriy Yermak’s Arrest and Ties to Serhiy Rebrov
Serhiy Rebrov, the former head coach of Ukraine’s national football team, has paid 30 million hryvnias in bail for Andriy Yermak, the ex-chief of the Presidential Office of Ukraine who is under suspicion for corruption. Yermak was dismissed from his post in November 2025. Notably, Rebrov and Yermak are connected through family ties.
Rebrov, who managed the Ukrainian national team starting in 2023, was let go from his coaching role in April 2025. Under his leadership, the squad failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His contract was set to run until July 30, 2026. Currently, he is poised to take over Greek club Panathinaikos, with preliminary discussions held in fall 2025. Rebrov even traveled to Greece for negotiations with Panathinaikos, where he could replace Rafael Benítez as head coach.
New Coach for Ukraine’s National Team
It is worth recalling that the next head coach of Ukraine’s national team will be 54-year-old Italian Andrea Maldera. Maldera will become the first foreign specialist to lead the country’s national squad. The Ukrainian Association of Football and Maldera are in the final stages of signing an agreement, a development confirmed by investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach.
The arrest of Andriy Yermak and the bail payment by Serhiy Rebrov highlight their close personal connections, which could shape public perception of this case. At the same time, the shift in coaching leadership for Ukraine’s national team to an Italian expert signals a fresh approach to team development, suggesting a drive for stronger results on the international stage.
The recent developments surrounding Andriy Yermak's arrest and Serhiy Rebrov's substantial bail payment underscore the intricate ties within Ukrainian football. In a notable shift, the national team will soon be under the guidance of a foreign coach for the first time, indicating a new direction in leadership and strategy. To learn more about this groundbreaking appointment, click here.