Italy’s Andrea Maldiera Set to Coach Ukraine’s National Football Team: Who Is He?

Andrea Maldiera Appointed as Head Coach

According to Главком: Andrea Maldiera is poised to take over as head coach of the Ukrainian national football team, succeeding Serhiy Rebrov, who stepped down on April 22. The news of the Italian coach’s appointment was first reported by journalist and insider Fabrizio Romano. At 54 years old, Maldiera has never served as a head coach before, but his football career has included various roles at major clubs.

Andrea Maldiera’s Career Path

Throughout his career, Maldiera worked within AC Milan’s organization until June 2016, holding positions as a technical development coach and match analyst. He also assisted head coach Andriy Shevchenko for five years with the Ukrainian national team, leaving the squad in August 2021, after which he joined English club Brighton. Most recently, Maldiera served as an assistant at French club Marseille.

The Ukrainian national team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, losing 1–3 to Sweden in the playoff semifinals. In June 2023, the team is scheduled to play friendly matches against Poland and Denmark. In the fall of 2026, Ukraine will compete in League B of the Nations League, facing Hungary, Georgia, and Northern Ireland.

After Serhiy Rebrov’s dismissal, the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) shortlisted three candidates for the head coach position: Myron Markevych, Igor Jovićević, and Andrea Maldiera. UAF President Andriy Shevchenko had planned to make a final decision by the end of April. As Fabrizio Romano noted,

“Andrea Maldiera is about to become the new head coach of the Ukrainian national team. The agreement with the Italian coach is currently being finalized.”

Maldiera’s appointment as head coach reflects the UAF’s strategy of bringing in professionals with international experience, even if they lack extensive coaching backgrounds. The team’s failure to secure a World Cup spot puts pressure on future performance, making it the new coach’s task to restore form and prepare the squad for upcoming competitions. The friendly matches scheduled for June could serve as a key opportunity to assess the team’s potential under Maldiera’s leadership.

As the Ukrainian national team transitions to a new leadership under Andrea Maldiera, understanding the selection process that led to his appointment can provide valuable insights. The three candidates considered for the coaching role highlight the strategic choices made by the Ukrainian Association of Football in a bid to revitalize the team’s performance on the international stage.