The former Spurs striker is now coaching Ukraine and aiming to lead his nation to Euro 2024
Interview Mark Sanderson
INTERVIEW
How did being handed the job as Ukraine manager compare to your numerous other achievements in football?
This is a huge responsibility and something special too, during a hard and different time compared to before the war. The people of Ukraine are looking to us in the national side to help create better emotions for them, so we need to produce positive performances. We’re constantly battling for good results, but it’s important that our performances go way beyond that. We want the world to see that we’re still here, alive, fighting for our freedom and showing our character.
Given the ongoing war in Ukraine, what’s your biggest challenge as manager?
Today, the whole world is aware of what has happened and is continuing to happen in Ukraine. We want to support our own people – everyone is together on that and naturally we want the war to end as soon as possible. But for my players it’s a different life now than it was around two years ago, with even more travelling than before – international games are being played outside Ukraine, on top of all the matches across the three European club competitions. That can be really challenging for the players, but obviously we know that’s nothing compared to life for our compatriots at home and in the military. The players fully understand their job.
Your tenure as Ukraine manager started in June, and in only your second match you watched your side recover from 2-0 down at half-time to beat North Macedonia 3-2 in Euro 2024 qualifying. What did you say to your players at the break to inspire that unlikely response?
Any manager will tell you, there’s not always enough time to explain your ideas when you start in a new role. Four days before the game against North Macedonia, we performed OK in a friendly against Germany [a 3-3 draw in Bremen]. For us to be successful on the field, discipline in our play is vital, but sometimes you face a team with a different style and it can be tricky to adapt. I stress to the players, it doesn’t matter who you play against, if we don’t show our way it will become difficult. We changed a few things around at half-time and I reminded the players, during what I’d describe as a strong conversation, what was expected of them.
You played for Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv, Spurs, Fenerbahce, West Ham and Rubin Kazan – which manager got the best out of you and how did they
