Taras Stepanenko Retires After Shakhtar vs. Kolos Match

Taras Stepanenko Hangs Up His Boots

According to Главком: Saturday’s Ukrainian Premier League fixture between Shakhtar Donetsk and Kolos Kovalivka marked the final professional appearance for midfielder Taras Stepanenko. The 35-year-old started the game for Kolos and was substituted in the 60th minute. Over his career, Stepanenko spent 15 seasons with Shakhtar, where he collected 25 trophies, made 439 appearances, and scored 30 goals.

On March 1 of this year, Stepanenko returned to the Ukrainian top flight from Turkish side Eyüpspor, signing a six-month contract with Kolos. During that brief stint, he played five matches for his new club. Following his retirement, Stepanenko has decided to move into coaching and will join Andrea Maldera’s staff with the Ukraine national team.

A New Era for the Ukrainian National Team

Volodymyr Yezerskyi has also been added to Maldera’s coaching staff as an assistant. For the upcoming international fixtures, Andriy Yarmolenko will rejoin the squad, while two new players have received call-ups:

• Defender Romanchuk
• Winger Synchuk

A guard of honor from both teams served as a fitting tribute to Stepanenko’s achievements, recognizing the lasting impact he has made on Ukrainian football.

Stepanenko’s retirement, marking the end of one of the most decorated careers in Ukrainian football, underscores his immense contribution to the domestic game.

By transitioning into a coaching role, he will continue to shape the next generation of players, ensuring a transfer of experience within the national team setup. The infusion of fresh talent alongside the return of seasoned campaigners like Yarmolenko could strengthen Ukraine’s competitiveness on the international stage.

As Stepanenko embarks on this new chapter in his career, his transition to coaching is expected to bring valuable insights to the Ukraine national team. To learn more about his upcoming role alongside Andrea Maldera and the changes within the coaching staff, check out the details in our article on Stepanenko's coaching journey.