The Ukrainian Football Association has announced the appointment of Andrea Maldini as the new head coach of the national football team. The Italian coach has signed a two-year contract, which includes an option for extension.
Maldini will lead the team into a series of friendly matches, starting with a game against Poland on May 31, followed by a match against Denmark on June 7.
He replaces Serhiy Rebrov, who stepped down after the team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This marks a significant milestone, as Maldini becomes the first foreign head coach in the history of the Ukrainian national team. He is also the second foreign specialist to take charge of a team within the Ukrainian football structure in the past three years, following Unai Melgosa, who is the head coach of the U21 team.
Maldini has previously served as an assistant coach for the national team from 2016 to 2021 under Andriy Shevchenko. Following Shevchenko’s departure after his contract ended, Maldini took on roles as an assistant to former Shakhtar Donetsk coach Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton and Marseille.
The Ukrainian team is scheduled to play its first official matches under Maldini in September as part of the UEFA Nations League, with a total of six matches planned through the end of 2026.
Upcoming Matches for the Ukraine National Football Team:
- June 7, 19:30 – Denmark vs. Ukraine (Friendly)
- September 25, 21:45 – Hungary vs. Ukraine (Nations League, First Round)
- September 28, 19:00 – Georgia vs. Ukraine (Nations League, Second Round)
- October 2, 21:45 – Ukraine vs. Northern Ireland (Nations League, Third Round)
- October 5, 21:45 – Ukraine vs. Hungary (Nations League, Fourth Round)
- November 14, 21:45 – Northern Ireland vs. Ukraine (Nations League, Fifth Round)
- November 17, 21:45 – Ukraine vs. Georgia (Nations League, Sixth Round)
Andrea Maldini has been appointed as the new head coach of the Ukraine national football team, succeeding Serhiy Rebrov. Maldini, who previously served as an assistant coach, will lead the team into upcoming friendly matches and the UEFA Nations League.