Andriy Shevchenko Appointed Ukraine Manager: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Former Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko was appointed as the national team’s manager on Friday. 

The Football Federation of Ukraine's official website confirmed the move, which sees the 39-year-old take over from former boss Mykhaylo Fomenko.

Sky Sports News HQ and the UEFA Euro 2016 Twitter feed also noted the appointment:

Shevchenko is best remembered for his time with AC Milan, his goals helping the team to one Serie A title in 2004 and the UEFA Champions League the year before. Prior to his move to Italy, he won five league titles with Dynamo Kiev. After leaving Milan in 2006, he endured a tumultuous three-year stint with Chelsea.

He made 111 appearances for Ukraine, netting an impressive 48 goals. He is the country’s all-time record goalscorer.

Here is a reminder of just how good Shevchenko was in front of goal:

He takes over Ukraine with a big job to do. Fomenko’s side were one of the poorest to watch at the summer’s UEFA European Championship, and they were eliminated in the group stage having lost all of their matches and failing to score a goal.

Indeed, this statistic from BreatheSport is a damning indictment of the country’s efforts in the continental competition:

"

At 35-years-old, Andriy Shevchenko is still Ukraine's youngest ever goalscorer at a Euros... pic.twitter.com/i7PNtRFhI9

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) June 21, 2016"

Shevchenko was part of the backroom staff, having been brought into the fold in February, so he’ll be acutely aware of what issues need to be addressed. A man of his outstanding stature in Ukrainian football will surely command the respect of the players he calls up.

There is some talent at his disposal. The twin threats on the flank of Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka are enough to trouble any side, while Manchester City starlet Oleksandr Zinchenko is an exciting prospect.

Following such a poor tournament showing, Shevchenko will need his team to entertain the supporters as a priority, just as he did for so many years.