Shatskikh Weighs in on Rebrov’s Future as Ukraine Coach After Sweden Loss.

Maxim Shatskikh’s Take on the Ukrainian National Team

According to Novyny.live: Following Ukraine’s 3–1 defeat to Sweden in the semifinal of the 2026 World Cup playoff, Maxim Shatskikh has shared his thoughts on the state of the national side. The loss means Ukraine will not compete in the upcoming World Cup. In light of this outcome, Shatskikh offered his perspective on whether Serhiy Rebrov should remain as head coach.

Rebrov is set to stay in charge at least until his contract ends in July. Shatskikh emphasized that

“we need to think through the next steps,”

“the national team coach may not have had enough time to implement his style of football,”

Didier Deschamps as a Case Study

Drawing comparisons to other coaches, Shatskikh pointed to Didier Deschamps, who has managed France since 2012. He noted that Deschamps boasts extensive experience, having led his side to a World Cup victory in 2018, though they also suffered a defeat in the 2022 World Cup final.

Shatskikh highlighted:

• “How long has Deschamps been in charge? Over ten years, since 2012.”
• “He had his highs: winning the 2018 World Cup, and his lows: losing the 2022 World Cup final.”

He also expressed optimism that Rebrov “can still achieve success,” stressing the need to support both the coach and the team during this challenging period. The atmosphere around the Ukrainian national team remains tense, and discussions about coaching staff changes could become pressing in the near future.

After a disappointing international campaign, Ukraine’s national team finds itself in a situation demanding careful analysis and possible strategic adjustments. Moving forward, the squad must continue preparing for upcoming qualifiers and set clear priorities to improve results in future competitions. It is crucial that the coaching staff receives the backing needed to carry out their vision and plans going ahead.