New Match Kits Revealed
Shakhtar Donetsk has officially launched its match kits for the 2026/27 season. The home jersey stays true to the club's traditional colors, while the away design pays homage to the team's original name, Stakhanovets. This look also commemorates the 90th anniversary of Shakhtar's founding. Players Marlon Gomes, Valeriy Bondar, Dmytro Kryskiv, Oleh Ocheretko, and Alisson Santana took part in the kit presentation. Fans can now purchase the new gear through the manufacturer's official website, Shakhtar's online store, and authorized retail partners.
Achievements and Club Updates
Last season, Shakhtar claimed the Ukrainian Premier League title, securing an automatic spot in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League group stage. The new domestic campaign kicks off with a match against Kudrivka, tentatively scheduled for August 1.
In other news, Shakhtar has appointed Oleksiy Byelik as head coach of the U-21 reserve team. The 45-year-old began his coaching career in 2021 as an assistant coach for the U-15 squad at the Shakhtar Academy, later moving to the U-19 team in the same role. Byelik took charge of the youth team in 2023, leading them to a silver medal finish, and secured the championship title in the 2025/26 season.
Byelik's coaching staff includes:
- Assistant head coach Oleksiy Hai
- Goalkeeping coach Artem Tetenko
- Fitness coach Dmytro Korniyenko
During his playing career, Byelik represented Shakhtar, winning three Ukrainian league titles and two Ukrainian Cups. He also played for Shakhtar-2, Germany's VfL Bochum, Dnipro, and Metalurh Zaporizhzhia. Byelik featured for Ukraine's U-19, U-21, and senior national teams.
The new kit launch and Byelik's appointment highlight Shakhtar's ongoing strategic development.
The kit design taps into the club's historical roots, potentially boosting its appeal among supporters. A strong start in both the Champions League and domestic league, along with bolstered youth coaching, underscores Shakhtar's ambition to maintain dominance in Ukrainian football and make further strides internationally.
In addition to the new kit launch, Shakhtar is making strides in its youth development by appointing Oleksiy Byelik as the head coach of the youth team. His experience and previous successes with the U-21 squad position him well to nurture the next generation of talent. For more insights on Byelik's coaching journey and his impact on the youth program, read about his recent appointment here.