Former AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko is back in Italy, and has taken up the managerial duties at Genoa. Having established himself as one of the finest of his times during his spell at AC Milan, Shevchenko is back in Italy after a loan spell at Milan in 2008-09.
“Genoa CFC and 777 Partners warmly welcome Mr Shevchenko and wish him success at the helm of the oldest club in Italy,”
an official announcement from the club said.
Having picked up just 1 win in Serie A this season, Genoa are 17th in the table and are one of the favorites to head into the relegation zone. It saw the end of David Ballardini, who parted ways with the club after a 11-month stint. He was appointed manager in December 2020, and helped them finish 11th by the end of the season.
Things started to work out horribly for the unit in the new season, losing to Inter Milan 4-0 on the opening day. After two more defeats, they got their first win of the campaign against Cagliari, and they remained winless since September 12.
After yet another disappointing draw against Empoli, the board decided to make the managerial change, and brought in the former Ukrainian footballer. Shevchenko has the experience of leading his national side in a managerial capacity for five, and this will be his first assignment as a club manager.
During his time as a player for the Rossoneri, he won the Serie A and Champions League, also winning the Ballon d’Or in 2004. The forward scored a staggering 173 goals for the red side of Milan, and was instrumental in their success for a long time.
Despite his career taking a downward slop after moving to Chelsea, he finished with an impressive 343 goals in 704 club games over a career that lasted two decades. He also scored 48 times for Ukraine in 111 appearances for the national side, and till date, is the highest goal-scorer in their country’s international history.
In his 5-year managerial stint, he oversaw Ukraine’s first-ever appearance in the 2020 Euro quarter-final, before losing to England in the round of 8.
