Blokhin steps down as Dynamo coach

Oleh Blokhin has stepped down as FC Dynamo Kyiv coach following a 2-0 home defeat by Ukrainian Premier League leaders FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Blokhin leaves his post with Dynamo in third spot in the Ukrainian top flight, seven points adrift of Shakhtar with as many games remaining. The 61-year-old has been at the helm since September 2012, but has failed to guide the capital club to a trophy during his time in the dugout. Blokhin temporarily remained as coach of the Ukraine national team – his second spell in that role – after taking over Dynamo. He had guided his country to the 2006 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals and, having been reappointed in April 2011, oversaw the hosts' UEFA EURO 2012 campaign.

Blokhin's stint as Dynamo coach followed a glorious playing career with the club, where he won seven Soviet titles, five Soviet Cups, the 1975 and 1986 European Cup Winners' Cups, and the 1975 UEFA Super Cup. He also made a record number of appearances (112) and scored an unmatched number of goals (42) for the Soviet Union, with whom he won bronze at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. Blokhin was named European Footballer of the Year in 1975.