Italian tactician Andrea Maldera is poised to take over as the new head coach of the Ukraine national team, according to prominent journalist Viktor Vatsko. If confirmed, the appointment would mark a historic moment, as Ukraine prepares to name its first-ever foreign manager.

Speaking about the development, Viktor Vatsko shared his surprise: “For me, it’s completely unexpected. For the first time in history, the Ukraine national team will have a foreign head coach. His name is Andrea Maldera.”

Andrea Maldera is no stranger to Ukrainian football. Between 2016 and 2021, he was part of Andriy Shevchenko’s coaching staff with the Ukraine national team, playing a key role during a period of steady progress on the international stage.

More recently, Maldera worked at Olympique Marseille as an assistant to Roberto De Zerbi, further sharpening his tactical credentials in one of Europe’s top leagues.

Beyond the touchline, Andrea Maldera has also shown a personal connection to the country—he notably has a tattoo featuring Ukrainian symbolism on his shoulder, underlining his long-standing bond with the national team.