Ukraine hires Italian wizard Maldera as first foreign coach of national team

 LVIV – Italian football manager Andrea Maldera has been appointed to coach the Ukrainian national football team, the first foreigner to have the job, the Ukrainian football federation said.  Shrugging off the war he will be based in Lviv together with his wife and dog for the next two years.

Maldera’s connection to Ukraine dates to when he worked on the staff of Andriy Shevchenko when the former Milan star was in charge of selecting players for the Ukrainian national team.

 "I am very happy to be here,” Maldera, 55, told reporters in Lviv, “it’s an honour to get this job.”    

Maldera comes from a football family. His father Luigi and uncles Aldo and Attilio played for AC Milan. HE previously worked as an assistant coach to Roberto De Zerbi in Brighton and Marseille.  

 “We considered various options with the representatives of the Ukrainian federation over which city I should settle in. We chose Leopoli (Lviv). I believe this is a big responsibility in this special moment for Ukraine. It won’t just be a question of being a trainer who watches games.”

 “I want to offer my help in any area the Ukrainian football federation needs,” Maldera added. “I have many friends in Ukraine and I want to do everything that is necessary and possible.”

 “My wife will move with me and will bring the dog. We will speak to the children every evening. This is my decision, It’s important to note that nobody has put pressure on me. It was my decision, totally personal.”