Ivan Hetsko: Serhiy Rebrov is the Main Culprit for Ukraine's National Team Failure
Former Ukrainian national team player and football legend Ivan Hetsko recently commented on the current situation of the team under the leadership of Serhiy Rebrov, expressing his concerns regarding the team's performance and attributing the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup primarily to Rebrov.
Ivan Hetsko, a former player of the Ukrainian national team and a celebrated figure in Ukrainian football, has voiced his concerns about the current state of the national team, which is under the management of Serhiy Rebrov. Hetsko believes that Rebrov is chiefly responsible for the team's inability to secure a spot in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Hetsko pointed out that the players have been facing significant challenges with their motivation and readiness to fight for victory. He stated, "Recently, our boys have been struggling with their mindset and readiness to go above and beyond. Not long ago, this was one of the virtues of our main team. Who is to blame for this? First and foremost, it is Serhiy Rebrov; this falls within his area of responsibility. It is disappointing that yet another qualifying cycle has ended in failure, resulting in our team missing out on the World Cup finals once again," Hetsko commented.
In his remarks, Hetsko suggested that a change in coaching could positively impact the team's situation. He believes that the head coach of the Ukrainian national team should be a local expert who is well-acquainted with the realities of domestic football. "I think it should be a Ukrainian specialist who resides in our homeland and understands our realities. I believe that for older generation coaches, Myron Markevych could be entrusted with this position. He is a knowledgeable mentor who enjoys great respect from both fans and players," he added.
Furthermore, Hetsko expressed his support for Ruslan Rotan, whom he considers the best option among current coaches. "Among those who are currently active, I think the best choice is Ruslan Rotan. However, he is under contract with the ambitious Polissia team, and even if he is invited, it is uncertain whether the club's management would agree to this departure," Hetsko mentioned in an interview with Sport.ua.
It is worth noting that in the semi-finals of the World Cup qualifying playoffs, the Swedish national team defeated Ukraine with a score of 3:1, which has further fueled criticism towards the coaching staff. The World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first tournament where 48 teams will compete instead of the usual 32.
Previously, it was reported that Serhiy Rebrov intends to remain as the head coach of the Ukrainian national team and is willing to accept a salary reduction to continue his work with the team. However, given the recent results, his future in this role raises many questions.
Tags: Football, Ukrainian National Team, Myron Markevych, Ruslan Rotan