Andrea Maldera Appointed Head Coach of Ukraine’s National Team
Ukraine’s Football Association (UAF) is moving forward with plans to bring in Italian coach Andrea Maldera as the head of the national team. Initially, he will serve on an interim basis for two upcoming friendlies against Poland and potentially Denmark. A permanent role hinges on the team’s performance in those matches.
The UAF settled on Maldera after dismissing Serhiy Rebrov. The association had shortlisted three candidates for the position:
- Myron Markevych
- Igor Jovićević
- Andrea Maldera
UAF President Andriy Shevchenko is expected to make a final decision by the end of April.
Maldera’s Appointment Terms and Background
As for the conditions tied to Maldera’s hiring, his interim role will only become permanent if the team delivers strong results in the specified friendlies. Should Ukraine fail to show satisfactory progress, the UAF may opt not to keep him as head coach.
What is known about Ukraine’s new coach? Andrea Maldera worked within AC Milan’s structure until June 2016, serving as a technical development coach and match analyst. He then joined Ukraine’s national team staff, assisting head coach Andriy Shevchenko for five years. In August 2021, Maldera left the national setup to join English club Brighton. Most recently, he worked as an assistant coach at French side Marseille. Notably, Maldera has no prior experience as a head coach.
Andrea Maldera’s appointment as interim head coach of Ukraine’s national team could mark a key phase in the squad’s development, especially with an eye on future competitions. The outcomes of the friendlies against Poland and Denmark may well determine the UAF’s decision on his long-term role.
Given his prior experience at Milan and his collaboration with the national team, Maldera has the potential to bring positive changes to the squad. However, his lack of head-coaching experience may pose a challenge to successfully fulfilling the role.
This move reflects Ukraine’s ongoing search for stability after recent coaching changes, with Shevchenko leveraging his Italian connections to guide the team forward.
As the Ukrainian Football Association finalizes its decision on Andrea Maldera's future, it's worth exploring the other candidates who were in the running for the head coach position. The recent article on the shortlisted contenders provides insights into the potential replacements for Rebrov and highlights the strategic direction the UAF may take moving forward. For a deeper understanding of the coaching landscape, check out the details in the recent report on the three candidates for the national team.