The article discusses the resignation of Igor Jovićević as the head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk. Jovićević led the team to the league title last season and took them to the round of 16 in the Europa League. Sports journalist Daniil Vereitin commented on Jovićević’s resignation, praising his achievements and his special attitude towards Ukraine. Vereitin believes that the decision to sack Jovićević was wrong and stands in solidarity with the Shakhtar ultras. The article also mentions that the leading candidate for the position of head coach is Patrick van Leeuwen.
The famous sports journalist Daniil Vereitin commented on the information about the resignation of Igor Jovichevich from the post of head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Igor Jovićević officially resigned as head coach of Shakhtar on Saturday, July 1. The contract with the mentor, valid until June 2024, was terminated ahead of schedule.
The Croatian specialist led the Donetsk team for a year and led them to the league title last season. Shakhtar finished third in the Champions League group and advanced to the round of 16 of the Europa League.
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FanDay.net sports reporter Daniil Vereitin shares his thoughts on Jovichevich’s resignation.
“Igor Jovićević, with a mediocre squad by European standards, took Shakhtar to the Europa League playoffs. Let me remind you that a year ago, De Zerbi had a stronger squad, and the result was only fourth place in the Champions League group.
Jovičević won the Ukrainian championship in a fierce battle at the finish line. Competitors do not prefer to give championships, everyone sees it. But victory remains with Shakhtar,” wrote Vereitin.
Daniil also expressed the Croat’s special attitude towards Ukraine and his confidence in young footballers after the sale of winger Mikhail Mudrik to London Chelsea.
“Jovicevich was the first Shakhtar coach who was so patriotic that the players in the team started speaking Ukrainian. What a man – even the CEO gave a flash interview in Ukrainian for the first time in my memory.
Igor paved the way for young players, even leaving without a sufficient replacement for the leader who was sold to Chelsea,” said Vereitin.
Vereitin believes that the Shakhtar management did something wrong when they decided to sack Jovićević.
“I stand in solidarity with the Shakhtar ultras. Such a coach cannot be fired. And a month of silence about Jovićević’s departure is an additional insult in front of the fans. You can say about boomerang, they say, he left Dnepr-1 so ugly. And it’s true,” Vereitin said.
Igor Jovichevich. Photo: FC Shakhtar
Daniil said that Jovićević needs to continue working with the Donetsk team.
“But I feel sorry for Igor as a human being. He did a very good job. For this Miner is not ashamed. And the leadership decision… This is the first time in almost 20 years.
Lucescu left as a legend. Fonseca was promoted. Kashtru just fulfilled the contract. De Zerby left because of the war. And Jovicevich…could work. By winning the championship and giving the team 1/8 of the LE finals,” added Vereitin in his telegram channel.
- The 49-year-old Jovicevich previously managed Lviv Carpathians, Slovenia Celje, Zagreb Dynamo and Dnepr-1.
- Under the leadership of the Croatian, Shakhtar played 40 official matches, in which he won 24, drew ten matches and lost six meetings.
- The leading candidate for the position of Pitmen head coach is Patrick van Leeuwen, the Dutch head coach, who led Zorya Luhansk last season.