Alexei Mikhailichenko
Encyclopedia
Oleksiy Oleksandrovych Mykhaylychenko (born March 30, 1963 in Kiev
), is a Ukrainian
football coach and former professional football player. He currently holds an administrative position in his home club, Dynamo Kyiv, as director of sport. His name is commonly romanised as Alexei Mikhailichenko from the Russian
spelling of his name (Алексей Александрович Михайличенко).
Mikhailichenko played for Dynamo Kyiv
, Sampdoria
and Rangers
. He then became a coach, starting with assistant coach to Dynamo Kyiv's legendary Valeriy Lobanovsky. Following the death of Lobanovsky, Mykhailychenko replaced him as head coach. In 2004, he took charge of the Ukraine's national under-21 team
. He was head coach of the Ukraine national football team
senior side for two years after that.
in 1981, and went on to have a great career with Dynamo, winning four championships and three runner-up medals. He also won the Soviet Cup
three times. His biggest success with Dynamo came when they won the 1986 European Cup Winner's Cup
. He was awarded the Soviet Footballer of the Year
award in 1988, as well as two Ukrainian Footballer of the Year
awards in 1987 and 1988. In 1990 he was signed by the Italian club Sampdoria, who won their first Serie A
title that season.
The following season he moved to play with the Scottish Premier Division team Rangers
. With Rangers Mikhailichenko managed to win another five champion’s medals. All-in-all Mykhaylychenko won championship medals in 3 different leagues, and for 7 consecutive seasons – USSR in 1990, Italy in 1991 and Scotland from 1992 to 1996. He remained in Scotland
until retiring from playing on May 31, 1996.
His first season at Ibrox
was undoubtedly his most successful, as they completed the double of the league title and FA Cup and Mikhailichenko was a regular in the side with 10 goals from 27 league games. He featured in 29 league games as Rangers won a domestic treble a year later, but managed just five goals. He was even more frequent a choice in the first team during 1993–94
, playing 34 games but managed just five goals. But then came the arrival of Brian Laudrup
, whose presence in the team restricted Mikhailichenko to a mere nine league appearances and two goals in 1994–95
. He made 11 goalless league appearances in the 1995–96
(during which Wolverhampton Wanderers
made an unsuccessful approach for him) before retiring from playing at the age of 33.http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=42158
. He won the Gold Medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics
, and was part of the silver-medal-winning Soviet squad at Euro 88
. He also played in the Euro 92
championship but injury deprived him of a place in the Italia 90 squad and he was sorely missed as the Soviets crashed out in the first round. Mykhaylychenko also played twice for Ukraine
.
to begin coaching under the legendary Kyiv manager Valeri Lobanovsky
, remaining his assistant for five years. When Lobanovsky died in 2002 Mikhailichenko took over as caretaker manager, before assuming full control of the team in the 2002/03 season. Mikhailichenko led the team to two league titles and the 2003 Ukrainian Cup
, but was replaced in August 2004. In 2004 he became the head coach of the Ukraine national under-21 football team
. In that capacity he led the team to the final of the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
, which they lost to Netherlands
.
On June 16, 2006, it was reported that Mikhailichenko would take over as head coach of Scottish Premier League
club, Heart of Midlothian
. Hearts did not follow up their reported interest and instead appointed caretaker Valdas Ivanauskas
on a full-time basis. Mikhailichenko was announced as head coach of the Ukraine national football team
on January 11, 2008. After Mikhailichenko's contract expired on December 1, 2009 the Football Federation of Ukraine
did not renew the contract after the national team failed to qualify
for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
), is a Ukrainian
Ukrainians
Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...
football coach and former professional football player. He currently holds an administrative position in his home club, Dynamo Kyiv, as director of sport. His name is commonly romanised as Alexei Mikhailichenko from the Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
spelling of his name (Алексей Александрович Михайличенко).
Mikhailichenko played for Dynamo Kyiv
FC Dynamo Kyiv
FC Dynamo Kyiv is a professional football club based in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. Founded in 1927, the club currently participates in the Ukrainian Premier League and has spent its entire history in the top league of Soviet and later Ukrainian football...
, Sampdoria
U.C. Sampdoria
Unione Calcio Sampdoria is an Italian association football club based in Genoa. The club was formed in 1946 from the merger of two existing sports clubs whose roots can be traced back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria...
and Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. He then became a coach, starting with assistant coach to Dynamo Kyiv's legendary Valeriy Lobanovsky. Following the death of Lobanovsky, Mykhailychenko replaced him as head coach. In 2004, he took charge of the Ukraine's national under-21 team
Ukraine national under-21 football team
The Ukraine national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine.After Ukrainian Independence in 1991, the Ukraine senior team played their first match in April 1992...
. He was head coach of the Ukraine national football team
Ukraine national football team
The Ukraine national football team is the national football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine. After Ukrainian Independence and breakaway from the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Hungary on 29 April 1992...
senior side for two years after that.
Club
Mikhailichenko began his football career in the youth system of Dynamo Kyiv, under the guidance of Anatoliy Byshovets. He made his debut in the Soviet Top LeagueSoviet Top League
The Soviet Top League since 1970 was officially known as the Supreme League serving as the top division of Soviet Union football since 1936.It was one of the best football leagues in Europe ranking second among the UEFA members in 1988-1989 seasons...
in 1981, and went on to have a great career with Dynamo, winning four championships and three runner-up medals. He also won the Soviet Cup
Soviet Cup
The Soviet Cup, or USSR Cup , was the premier football cup competition in the Soviet Union.-Finals:-Performance by club:-Performance by republic:-References:*, rsssf.com. Accessed on 16 May 2006....
three times. His biggest success with Dynamo came when they won the 1986 European Cup Winner's Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1985-86
The European Cup Winners' Cup was won in season 1985-86 by FC Dynamo Kyiv in the final against Atlético Madrid. It was their second title in the competition, having already won it in 1975...
. He was awarded the Soviet Footballer of the Year
Soviet Footballer of the Year
The award Soviet Footballer of the Year had been awarded to the best footballer of the former Soviet Union from 1964 until 1991. The poll was conducted by the weekly sport newspaper Football .-List of winners:-Most Wins by Club:...
award in 1988, as well as two Ukrainian Footballer of the Year
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year is an annual award given by the Ukrainskiy Football daily to the best professional Ukrainian footballer....
awards in 1987 and 1988. In 1990 he was signed by the Italian club Sampdoria, who won their first Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
title that season.
The following season he moved to play with the Scottish Premier Division team Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. With Rangers Mikhailichenko managed to win another five champion’s medals. All-in-all Mykhaylychenko won championship medals in 3 different leagues, and for 7 consecutive seasons – USSR in 1990, Italy in 1991 and Scotland from 1992 to 1996. He remained in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
until retiring from playing on May 31, 1996.
His first season at Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
was undoubtedly his most successful, as they completed the double of the league title and FA Cup and Mikhailichenko was a regular in the side with 10 goals from 27 league games. He featured in 29 league games as Rangers won a domestic treble a year later, but managed just five goals. He was even more frequent a choice in the first team during 1993–94
1993-94 in Scottish football
The 1993–94 season was the 97th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season saw several teams relegated from the 1st and 2nd divisions in preparation for the introduction of a 3rd division the following season.-Notable events:...
, playing 34 games but managed just five goals. But then came the arrival of Brian Laudrup
Brian Laudrup
Brian Laudrup is a Danish former football player and current football commentator, pundit and analyst on TV3+. Along with former international goalkeeper Lars Høgh, Laudrup manages a football academy for marginalized youth...
, whose presence in the team restricted Mikhailichenko to a mere nine league appearances and two goals in 1994–95
1994-95 in Scottish football
The 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers...
. He made 11 goalless league appearances in the 1995–96
1995-96 in Scottish football
The 1995–96 season was the 99th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Summary:Rangers won the Premier Division with a record 87 points, finishing four ahead of rivals Celtic. Aberdeen were third with 55 points ....
(during which Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
made an unsuccessful approach for him) before retiring from playing at the age of 33.http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=42158
National Team
At national level Mikhailichenko was capped 41 times, scoring nine goals for the USSRUSSR national football team
The Soviet Union National Football Team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist after the break up of the Union...
. He won the Gold Medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
, and was part of the silver-medal-winning Soviet squad at Euro 88
1988 UEFA European Football Championship
The 1988 UEFA European Football Championship final tournament was held in West Germany. West Germany won the right to host the tournament with five votes ahead of a joint bid from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, who gained 1 vote, and a bid from England. It was the eighth European Football...
. He also played in the Euro 92
1992 UEFA European Football Championship
The 1992 UEFA European Football Championship final tournament was hosted by Sweden between 10 and 26 June 1992. It was the ninth European Football Championship, which is held every four years and supported by UEFA. Eight national teams contested the championship, which was won by Denmark, one of...
championship but injury deprived him of a place in the Italia 90 squad and he was sorely missed as the Soviets crashed out in the first round. Mykhaylychenko also played twice for Ukraine
Ukraine national football team
The Ukraine national football team is the national football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine. After Ukrainian Independence and breakaway from the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Hungary on 29 April 1992...
.
Coaching
After retiring from playing football in 1997, Mikhailichenko went back to UkraineUkraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
to begin coaching under the legendary Kyiv manager Valeri Lobanovsky
Valeri Lobanovsky
Valeriy Vasylyovych Lobanovskyi was a Ukrainian football manager. He is most famous for his spells managing Dynamo Kyiv, the Ukraine national football team, and the USSR national football team. In 1975 his Dynamo Kyiv team became the first side from the Soviet Union to win a major European...
, remaining his assistant for five years. When Lobanovsky died in 2002 Mikhailichenko took over as caretaker manager, before assuming full control of the team in the 2002/03 season. Mikhailichenko led the team to two league titles and the 2003 Ukrainian Cup
Ukrainian Cup
The Ukrainian Cup is a national knockout cup competition in Ukrainian football, run by the Football Federation of Ukraine. The winner of the competition is awarded a qualification to the UEFA Cup , under special circumstances the finalist also may enter...
, but was replaced in August 2004. In 2004 he became the head coach of the Ukraine national under-21 football team
Ukraine national under-21 football team
The Ukraine national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine.After Ukrainian Independence in 1991, the Ukraine senior team played their first match in April 1992...
. In that capacity he led the team to the final of the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Klaas Jan Huntelaar3 goals Thomas Kahlenberg Nicky Hofs2 goals Bryan Bergougnoux Ruslan Fomin Artem Milevskiy...
, which they lost to Netherlands
Netherlands national under-21 football team
The Netherlands national under-21 football team is the national under-21 team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Championship, held every two years....
.
On June 16, 2006, it was reported that Mikhailichenko would take over as head coach of Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club, Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
. Hearts did not follow up their reported interest and instead appointed caretaker Valdas Ivanauskas
Valdas Ivanauskas
Valdas Ivanauskas is a football coach and a former football striker from Lithuania.He is best known in Europe for his time at Hamburger SV as a player in 1993–97 and coaching at Hearts football club in 2005–07.- Career :...
on a full-time basis. Mikhailichenko was announced as head coach of the Ukraine national football team
Ukraine national football team
The Ukraine national football team is the national football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine. After Ukrainian Independence and breakaway from the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Hungary on 29 April 1992...
on January 11, 2008. After Mikhailichenko's contract expired on December 1, 2009 the Football Federation of Ukraine
Football Federation of Ukraine
The Football Federation of Ukraine is the governing body of football in Ukraine. It governs the football competitions for the Ukrainian Professional League, including the Ukrainian Cup, the Amatory, the competitions among the youth , and also the Ukraine national football team. It also sets the...
did not renew the contract after the national team failed to qualify
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Second Round
The UEFA second round was contested by the best eight runners-up from the nine first round groups from the UEFA segment of the qualification tournament for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in football. The winners of each of four home and away ties joined the group winners in the World Cup in South Africa...
for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Individual honours
As a player
- Ukrainian Footballer of the YearUkrainian Footballer of the YearUkrainian Footballer of the Year is an annual award given by the Ukrainskiy Football daily to the best professional Ukrainian footballer....
: 1987, 1988 - Soviet Footballer of the YearSoviet Footballer of the YearThe award Soviet Footballer of the Year had been awarded to the best footballer of the former Soviet Union from 1964 until 1991. The poll was conducted by the weekly sport newspaper Football .-List of winners:-Most Wins by Club:...
: 1988 - Soviet Top LeagueSoviet Top LeagueThe Soviet Top League since 1970 was officially known as the Supreme League serving as the top division of Soviet Union football since 1936.It was one of the best football leagues in Europe ranking second among the UEFA members in 1988-1989 seasons...
Champion: 1981, 1985, 1986, 1990 - Soviet Top LeagueSoviet Top LeagueThe Soviet Top League since 1970 was officially known as the Supreme League serving as the top division of Soviet Union football since 1936.It was one of the best football leagues in Europe ranking second among the UEFA members in 1988-1989 seasons...
Runner-up: 1982, 1988, 1989 (3rd place) - Soviet CupSoviet CupThe Soviet Cup, or USSR Cup , was the premier football cup competition in the Soviet Union.-Finals:-Performance by club:-Performance by republic:-References:*, rsssf.com. Accessed on 16 May 2006....
Champion: 1985, 1987, 1990 - Italian Serie ASerie ASerie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
Champion: 1991Serie A 1990-91-Final classification:-Results:-Top scorers:19 goals* Gianluca Vialli 16 goals* Lothar Matthäus 15 goals* Carlos Aguilera * Tomáš Skuhravý 14 goals* Roberto Baggio... - Scottish Premier Division Champion: 19921991-92 in Scottish footballThe 1991–92 season was the 95th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: RangersRelegated: St...
, 19931992-93 in Scottish footballThe 1992–93 season was the 96th season of competitive football in Scotland.- Notable events:* Rangers completing a domestic treble of the Premier Division title, FA Cup and League Cup....
, 19941993-94 in Scottish footballThe 1993–94 season was the 97th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season saw several teams relegated from the 1st and 2nd divisions in preparation for the introduction of a 3rd division the following season.-Notable events:...
, 19951994-95 in Scottish footballThe 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers...
, 19961995-96 in Scottish footballThe 1995–96 season was the 99th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Summary:Rangers won the Premier Division with a record 87 points, finishing four ahead of rivals Celtic. Aberdeen were third with 55 points .... - Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Champion: 1992Scottish Cup 1991-92The 1991–92 Scottish Cup was the 107th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Rangers who defeated Airdrieonians in the final.-First round:-Replay:-Second round:-Replays:-Third round:...
, 1993Scottish Cup 1992-93The 1992–93 Scottish Cup was the 108th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Rangers who defeated Aberdeen in the final.-First round:-Second round:-Replays:-Third round:-Replays:...
, 1996Scottish Cup 1995-96The 1995–96 Scottish Cup was the 111th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Rangers who defeated Hearts in the final.-First round:-Replay:-Second round:-Replays:-Third round:-Replays:... - Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Runner-up: 1994Scottish Cup 1993-94The 1993–94 Scottish Cup was the 109th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Dundee United who defeated Rangers in the final.-First round:-Replays:-Second round:-Third round:-Replays:... - European Cup Winners’s CupUEFA Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
Champion: 1986UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1985-86The European Cup Winners' Cup was won in season 1985-86 by FC Dynamo Kyiv in the final against Atlético Madrid. It was their second title in the competition, having already won it in 1975... - Summer Olympic Games Champion: 19881988 Summer OlympicsThe 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
- European Football ChampionshipUEFA European Football ChampionshipThe UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
Runner-up: 19881988 UEFA European Football ChampionshipThe 1988 UEFA European Football Championship final tournament was held in West Germany. West Germany won the right to host the tournament with five votes ahead of a joint bid from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, who gained 1 vote, and a bid from England. It was the eighth European Football...
Ballon d'Or
- 1988 – 4th
- 1989 – 12th
- 1991Ballon d'Or 1991The 1991 Ballon d'Or, given to the best football player in Europe as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries, was awarded to Jean-Pierre Papin and published December 24, 1991....
– 21st
As coach
- Ukrainian Premier LeagueUkrainian Premier LeagueThe Ukrainian Premier League is the highest division of Ukrainian annual football championship. As the Supreme League it was founded in 1991 after the fold of the Soviet Union's Vysshaya Liga. In 2008 it was reformed into a more autonomous entity of the Football Federation of Ukraine and changed...
Champion: 2003Ukrainian Premier League 2002-03-Final standings:-Top goal scorers:-European competitions:Champion's Cup Champion's Cup UEFA Cup UEFA Cup -External links:*...
, 2004Ukrainian Premier League 2003-04-Final standings:-Top goal scorers:-European competitions:Champion's Cup Champion's Cup UEFA Cup UEFA Cup -External links:*... - Ukrainian Premier LeagueUkrainian Premier LeagueThe Ukrainian Premier League is the highest division of Ukrainian annual football championship. As the Supreme League it was founded in 1991 after the fold of the Soviet Union's Vysshaya Liga. In 2008 it was reformed into a more autonomous entity of the Football Federation of Ukraine and changed...
Runner-up: 2002Ukrainian Premier League 2001-02-Final standings:Note:* In bold are the participants of the 2002 Ukrainian Cup Final.Play-off:-Top goalscorers:-European competitions:Champion's Cup Champion's Cup... - Ukrainian CupUkrainian CupThe Ukrainian Cup is a national knockout cup competition in Ukrainian football, run by the Football Federation of Ukraine. The winner of the competition is awarded a qualification to the UEFA Cup , under special circumstances the finalist also may enter...
Champion: 2003 - UEFA Under-21 ChampionshipUEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
Runner-up: 20062006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Klaas Jan Huntelaar3 goals Thomas Kahlenberg Nicky Hofs2 goals Bryan Bergougnoux Ruslan Fomin Artem Milevskiy...