On January 1, 2023, the national team of Ukraine remained without a coach. Alexander Petrakov’s contract with the UAF has expired. What future awaits Alexander Vasilyevich?
UAV
The Ukrainian national team did not complete a single task – for the right to go to the World Cup, they lost the play-offs and did not reach the League of Nations League A. In both cases, they lost to the non-strongest teams – Wales and Scotland.
In addition to the bad results, it did not leave the impression that Petrakov could not go beyond his own borders. It gets harder and harder for him as his casting increases and the class of players grows. He doesn’t understand what to do with it.
Petrakov’s chances of staying at the head of the Ukrainian national team remain only if they do not find a new one for this position. In August 2021, Alexander Vasilyevich became the coach of the national team, since it was not possible to agree with Sergei Rebrov to terminate the contract with Al-Ain.
Now the main candidate is the same Rebrov. He has a contract in the Middle East until the summer. It is possible that the former Dynamo coach will already lead the national team in the matches in June. And someone will start the first election fights in the status of acting. There are two options here – one of Rebrov’s future assistants or Petrakov.
No one will be in a hurry to appoint a new coach. You have time until March. Things are not going well for Al Ain this season. The workload from the leader is increasing. The team lost the game. Discontent is growing. Rebrov’s resignation will not be unexpected. Because of this, Petrakov becomes a comeback option, which, incidentally, can remain in the post.
Ruslan Rotan decided to switch to club football and accepted Oleksandria’s offer. If the youth team of Ukraine does not get tickets to the Olympics during the Euro in the summer, then the coaching of the youth team becomes relevant. The selection of candidates for this post is not very large. Petrakov is already mentioned as one of the contestants. He has a lot of experience in youth football. In the next cycle, 2003, he must play in the youth team led by Alexander Vasilyevich, before moving to the national team.
There are no vacancies in the youth teams system. Sergei Nagornyak can concentrate on club work with Epicenter. Then 2008 becomes free. But even 2007 did not begin to collect. You have to wait a year and a half.
If Alexander Vasilyevich has no ambition to coach, he will always find a solid position in the UAF structure. Miron Markevich was once given the position of national team coordinator because they did not want to offend an experienced and distinguished specialist by giving the job to Andriy Shevchenko.
Other national teams
Petrakov had the status of coach of the Ukrainian national team and won the junior world championship. They have fairly ordinary financial requirements. With such a reputation, one can apply to work with national teams from other countries. Given the results of the job, age, language issues, working with any large team cannot be expected. But in the post-Soviet space you can find a good option.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Alexander Petrakov
The Moldovan national team has become one of the weakest teams in Europe. Alexander Vasilyevich can help Moldovans raise their level. In conditions where player selection is low, it can add discipline to them, improve team play and rationality. Under these conditions Petrakov knows how to shape a team.
After the defeat from Ukraine in Yerevan, the Armenia team was left without a coach. Spaniard Joaquin Caparros was sacked. Armenians have enough technical players, they will have to tighten their game discipline.
Latvia is not doing well in the national team. Petrakov’s style is very close to them. The Ukrainian coach would have a chance to improve the team’s results.
Work at club level
The agency lobby is very important here. I’ve never heard of Petrakov collaborating with agents. But if he wants to work with clubs, then you should look for a good manager. An instructor’s resume gives you a chance to get a job.
Coaching competition is great in Ukraine now. There are no vacancies in the UPL. You have to wait for someone to lose their job. In the off-season, this can only happen for financial reasons or due to discussions. More chances for vacancies after the resumption of the season. I do not believe that our nobles can look for Petrakov. But it can work at the middle peasant level. Perhaps some ambitious projects from the First Division will be presented.
The foreign version is more relevant. There are not enough good coaches in the same Poland. You can find work at the middle peasant level. Clubs from Kazakhstan, Moldova, Azerbaijan, the Baltic States, Slovakia and possibly Hungary seem to be interesting options for Petrakov. The status of the former coach of the Ukrainian national team may be of interest to the teams in these championships.
