Italian Coach Left Ukrainian Club After Russian Invasion

De Zerbi leaves Shakhtar Donetsk by mutual consent

Italian coach left Ukrainian club after Russian invasion

De Zerbi had been in charge of Shakhtar since May 2021

Former Shakhtar Donetsk coach Roberto De Zerbi has left the Ukrainian club by mutual consent, the club announced on Monday.

De Zerbi, 44, joined Shakhtar in May 2021 and led the team to the Ukrainian Premier League title in his first season in charge.

However, the Italian coach's time at Shakhtar was cut short by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.

Shakhtar have been unable to play any competitive matches since the invasion, and De Zerbi has been working with the club's youth team in Italy.

In a statement, Shakhtar said: "FC Shakhtar and Roberto De Zerbi have agreed to terminate their employment contract by mutual consent."

"The club would like to thank Roberto for his work and wish him all the best in his future career."

De Zerbi is now expected to take over as coach of Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.