Former Ukraine national team player Ivan Hetzko shared his opinion on the advisability of dismissing the head coach of the Ukrainian national team, Sergey Rebrov.
Ivan Hetzko— Ivan Mikhailovich, is a change of head coach needed for the Ukraine national team now?
— This question should somehow be justified. If the team has not achieved its goal, then that is one thing, but the national team is still in the game, there are chances, so I believe it is incorrect to make any conclusions right now. It is not for us to decide whether to dismiss the coach or not. Another matter is if Sergey Rebrov himself wants to leave, then, yes.
Even if we assume that, say, tomorrow there will be a change of head coach, who will take on the responsibility of leading the team in such a situation? No matter what people say, Sergey Rebrov is a qualified specialist; he knows our football from the inside. In my opinion, changing the coach now is not the most important thing that can yield results.
— If we assume that the position of head coach of the Ukraine national team is vacant. What candidates do you see for this post?
— There are quite a few in Ukraine. But I lean more towards experienced specialists with a reputation. I am sure that a new impulse for the team could be given by Miron Markevich or, for example, Leonid Buryak. This list can go on, but it does not make sense to talk about it now when the national team has a current coach.
— Will the Ukraine national team make it out of the qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup?
— It is unlikely that we can count on first place, but we can certainly fight for a spot in the playoffs from the second position. Yes, the “blue and yellows” played terribly in Baku, nevertheless, there are still chances.
A lot, if not everything, will be decided on October 10, when the Ukraine national team will face the team from Iceland away. In this match, we will see how Sergey Rebrov’s players can get out of a difficult situation.
Sergey Demyanchuk
