What happened: Italian coach Andrea Maldera is finalising an agreement to take over as head coach of the Ukraine men's national football team with immediate effect, per Fabrizio Romano. Maldera, previously an assistant at Brighton and Marseille and part of Andriy Shevchenko's prior Ukraine staff, would become the federation's first non-Ukrainian manager. Reports also link Mauro Tassotti to a return on the backroom staff.

Why it matters: The hire marks a significant shift for the Ukrainian Football Association, which has historically appointed domestic coaches. Maldera's Italian tactical background and prior familiarity with the player pool through Shevchenko's tenure could accelerate his integration ahead of upcoming qualifying windows. The choice signals a willingness to look outside the country for technical direction at a sensitive moment for the program.

What to watch: Watch for the official federation announcement confirming the deal and Maldera's full backroom staff, including whether Tassotti formally returns. Ukraine's next fixtures will be the first test of the new setup.