Ukraine appoint Andriy Shevchenko as coach

Andriy Shevchenko has been appointed as Ukraine coach on a contract until the end of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

The 39-year old will succeed Mykhailo Fomenko, whom he assisted during UEFA EURO 2016, where Ukraine lost all three games without scoring. Shevchenko will be aided by Mauro Tassotti and Andrea Maldera, both former members of AC Milan's coaching staff, and Serhiy Rebrov's ex-Dynamo Kyiv No2 Raúl Riancho.

"It's an emotional moment and a great honour for me," said the new man at the helm. "My first task is creating a real unit who are able to achieve results. I also want to help the team win back the supporters' respect with the quality of our performances. We will search for some young players but my main criteria are discipline, organisation, balance, commitment and motivation."

Shevchenko joined the Ukraine back-room team in February, having previously scored a national-record 48 goals in 111 appearances prior to his 2012 retirement. The former Dynamo, Milan and Chelsea forward will have his first competitive match in charge at home to Iceland in Kyiv on 5 September, with Croatia, Finland, Kosovo and Turkey also in World Cup qualifying Group I.