For the First Time, a Foreign Coach Will Lead Ukraine's National Team

Andrea Maldera Appointed as Head Coach

According to Главком: Andrea Maldera is set to take the helm of the Ukrainian national football team. This development was confirmed by former Shakhtar Donetsk defender Serhiy Kryvtsov. The official appointment of the new head coach is scheduled for mid-May, specifically on the 19th, when the Executive Committee of the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) will approve Maldera's candidacy for the position.

Maldera is expected to arrive in Kyiv on May 18, and two days later, on May 20, he will attend the Ukrainian Cup final alongside UAF President Andriy Shevchenko. The match, featuring Dynamo Kyiv and FC Chernihiv, will take place at Arena Lviv. This appointment marks a historic milestone, as Andrea Maldera will become the first foreign specialist to lead Ukraine's national team.

Maldera's Professional Background

Regarding Maldera's career, until June 2016, he worked within AC Milan's structure as a technical development coach and match analyst. He later spent five years assisting head coach Andriy Shevchenko with the Ukrainian national team, but left in August 2021 to join English club Brighton & Hove Albion. Most recently, Maldera served as an assistant coach at French club Olympique de Marseille. It is worth noting that Maldera has no prior experience as a head coach.

Commenting on the selection of the new coach, Serhiy Kryvtsov stated: 'I had inside information; I knew Maldera would take over the national team. There was no surprise.'

He also shared his thoughts on the two candidates for the role: 'I had two candidates in mind – Jovicevic and Andrea. For me, they are on equal footing.' Kryvtsov emphasized that 'Andrea simply has more experience because he has worked in both England and Italy, while Jovicevic has a major advantage – knowledge of the Ukrainian language.'

Maldera will receive an annual salary of less than €500,000, which translates to approximately €30,000–€35,000 per month. For comparison, the previous coaching staff under Serhiy Rebrov earned up to €2 million per year, with Rebrov himself making €1.25 million.

This summer, Ukraine plans to play friendly matches against Poland and Denmark. In the fall of 2026, the national team will compete in League B of the UEFA Nations League, facing Hungary, Georgia, and Northern Ireland. Despite Maldera's lack of prior head coaching experience, Serhiy Kryvtsov expressed confidence in his ability to succeed: 'Andrea has never worked as a head coach, but I believe he has enough experience to be a head coach and to be successful.'

The appointment of Andrea Maldera as head coach of the Ukrainian national team signals a new chapter in Ukrainian football, as he becomes the first foreigner to hold this role. This move may reflect the UAF's desire to bring in international expertise to improve the team's performance on the global stage. Preparations for upcoming friendlies and participation in the Nations League highlight the association's active efforts to develop football in Ukraine and enhance the national team's competitiveness.

As Andrea Maldera prepares to lead the Ukrainian national team, significant changes are also taking place within the coaching staff. Notably, former Shakhtar Donetsk player Taras Stepanenko is expected to join Maldera's team, bringing valuable experience and insights that could enhance the squad's performance as they embark on this new chapter.