Who is Maldera? Ukraine appoints first foreign national team coach in history
Andrea Maldera (photo: UAF)
Today, on May 18, his 55th birthday, Italian specialist Andrea Maldera has officially become the new head coach of the Ukraine national football team. His candidacy was approved by the Executive Committee of the UAF upon the recommendation of the National Teams Committee, according to the official website of the UAF.
Who is Andrea Maldera
The contract with the Italian is for two years with an option for extension. This appointment has become historic for Ukrainian football: for the first time in history, a foreign coach has taken charge of the national team.
Maldera was born on May 18, 1971, in Milan, into a well-known football dynasty (his father Luigi and uncle Aldo were former stars of AC Milan and AS Roma). Although he did not have a high-profile playing career, Maldera established himself as an outstanding tactician. For nine years, he worked within AC Milan’s system, progressing from youth coach to key first-team analyst, assisting Massimiliano Allegri, Leonardo, and Filippo Inzaghi.
Ukrainian fans are well acquainted with him from his work between 2016 and 2021, when he served as assistant to Andriy Shevchenko in the Ukraine national team. Maldera was considered the main tactical mind behind the team that introduced a modern style of play and reached the historic Euro 2020 quarterfinals.
After his contract with the UAF ended in 2021, Maldera worked alongside Roberto De Zerbi as an assistant at Brighton in England (helping the club reach European competitions) and later at Marseille in France. His role with Ukraine will be the 55-year-old Italian’s first experience as a head coach in charge of a team.
The primary task of the new coach is to rebuild the team’s playing style ahead of official tournaments (photo: UAF)
When the debut will take place
Maldera replaced Serhiy Rebrov at the helm of the national team after Ukraine failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The Italian has become only the second foreign coach in Ukraine’s national team system in recent years — the U-21 team is currently led by Spaniard Unai Melgosa.
The new head coach’s primary goal is to prepare the team for the autumn cycle of the Nations League and to reshape its playing style ahead of upcoming official tournaments.
Maldera will debut in his new role at the end of May during the summer training camp, which includes two friendly matches. Official competitive fixtures will begin in the autumn.
Ukraine national team matches in 2026:
Friendly matches:
- May 31: Poland – Ukraine
- June 7: Denmark – Ukraine
Nations League 2026:
- September 25: Hungary – Ukraine
- September 28: Georgia – Ukraine
- October 2: Ukraine – Northern Ireland
- October 5: Ukraine – Hungary
- November 14: Northern Ireland – Ukraine
- November 17: Ukraine – Georgia
