Kryvyi Rih football club Kryvbas has officially announced the appointment of Oleksandr Petrakov as the head coach of the first team. The 69-year-old specialist, who previously managed the national teams of Ukraine and Armenia, has succeeded Dutch coach Patrick van Leeuwen in this role. The contract with the new manager runs until the end of the 2027/28 season with an option to extend for another year.
Negotiation details and first impressions of the coach
According to Oleksandr Petrakov, the negotiation process with the club's management was dynamic and productive. First, General Director Volodymyr Baienko contacted the specialist, and the next day a detailed meeting took place with club President Konstantin Karamanits, lasting about five hours. The manager noted that the decisive factor in his favor was the sincere desire of the management to see him at the team.
The new head coach has already managed to get acquainted with the club's infrastructure, inspect the training base, and begin direct acquaintance with the players. Currently, the specialist is actively forming his coaching staff to assist him in further work with the squad.
Tactical principles and current team objectives
Oleksandr Petrakov emphasized that he remains a proponent of vertical football, which is based on a quick transition from defense to attacking actions. In his opinion, the key components of a successful game are maximum dedication on the pitch and complete selflessness from the players. At the same time, the manager noted that he is still refraining from final conclusions about the players' physical conditions, intending to study their capabilities during the training process.
Currently, the Kryvyi Rih club is located in the lower part of the Ukrainian Premier League standings. The new coaching staff faces a clear task to correct the tournament position and improve the team's results. Kryvbas will play its next official match on October 25 as part of the 10th round of the UPL away against Bukovyna Chernivtsi.
Significance of the appointment for Ukrainian football
Oleksandr Petrakov's arrival at Kryvbas has attracted significant attention from the football community. The highest achievement in the specialist's coaching career remains his historic victory with the Ukraine U-20 national team at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Later, in 2021–2022, he successfully managed the senior Ukraine national team, after which he headed the Armenia national team. The coach's high-level experience should help the Kryvyi Rih club overcome its crisis and stabilize performances in the national championship.
