Valeri Lobanovsky
Encyclopedia
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 trophy when they beat Hungarian
side Ferencváros in the final of the Cup Winners' Cup. He was notorious for both his highly scientific and harsh disciplinarian approaches to management.
. He is most famous for his legendary ability to score from corner kicks and his ability to curve the ball and place it wherever he pleased; his immense fame gained from this led him to take over as a coach for Dynamo Kiev.
. After four relatively unremarkable years with Dnipro, Lobanovsky moved to his former club, Dynamo Kyiv, before the start of the 1974 season, he would manage the side for 15 of the next 17 years (he spent 1983–1984 managing the USSR). During these two spells Kyiv were successful in breaking the Russia
n dominance of Soviet football. Lobanovsky led his side to the Soviet super league eight times, the cup six times, the European Cup Winners' Cup of 1975 and 1986, and European Super Cup of 1975.
Lobanovsky also spent three spells managing the Soviet Union during this period. He took the side to the bronze medal in the 1976 Summer Olympics
during his first spell. However, it was his third, and last, spell with the side that he gained the most attention. He was asked to manage the side on the eve of the 1986 World Cup. The side, which consisted mainly of his own Dynamo Kyiv players, finished top of their group, but were knocked out in the second round by Belgium 4–3 after extra time. The team did, however, achieve far greater success at the 1988 European Championship. The team again finished top of their group, beating the Netherlands
on the way. However, they played the Netherlands again in the final and failed to repeat their previous victory.
Following perestroika
many of Lobanovsky's best players, for both club and country, left the USSR to play in Western Europe. Going into the 1990 World Cup he couldn't call upon his own Kyiv players to form the core of the side as he had previously done. His subsequent lack of ability to completely control his side led to the team finishing bottom of their group.
Following the debacle of the World Cup, Lobanovsky decided to leave Dynamo Kyiv and take up the lucrative offer of managing the United Arab Emirates national football team
. After four relatively lacklustre years he was sacked and went on to spend the next two years managing the Kuwait national football team
, before he was again sacked.
In January 1997 Lobanovsky returned to manage Dynamo Kyiv for a third time. The club by this time had fallen somewhat from their former heights. The club had been thrown out of European competition by UEFA
following attempts to bribe an official, and the club was also struggling somewhat in the league. Lobanovsky, however, managed to turn the club around quickly. Aside from leading the team to five consecutive championships, Lobanovsky managed to turn the side into one of the best sides in Europe, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in 1999. He was made manager of the Ukraine national side in March 2000, but was sacked after the side lost a playoff to reach the 2002 World Cup to Germany
.
Lobanovsky suffered a stroke
on 7 May 2002, shortly after his Dynamo Kyiv side had beaten FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya
. He died on 13 May, during brain surgery, following complications suffered after the stroke. At the Champions League final
in Glasgow
two days later, UEFA
held a minute's silence in his honour.
, the nation's highest honour. Dynamo Kyiv's stadium was also renamed the Lobanovsky Stadium
in his honour.
Lobanovsky was buried at Baikove Cemetery where an impressive monument surrounds his tomb.
After his death, A.C. Milan
won the Champions League in 2003 with Andriy Shevchenko
in the team. After the victory Shevchenko flew to Kyiv to put his medal by the grave of his former manager.
In 2005 the Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament
was founded.
called "U metra".
Ukraine
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...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
manager. He is most famous for his spells managing Dynamo Kyiv, 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...
, and the USSR national football team
USSR 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...
. In 1975 his Dynamo Kyiv team became the first side from the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
to win a major European trophy when they beat Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
side Ferencváros in the final of the Cup Winners' Cup. He was notorious for both his highly scientific and harsh disciplinarian approaches to management.
Playing career
Lobanovsky began his playing career as a left winger with Dynamo Kyiv, his hometown club, whilst with the side he won both the USSR league and cup. He spent seven years with the club before finishing his career with brief spells at Chornomorets Odessa, and Shakhtar Donetsk. Lobanovsky ended his playing career at the age of 29 having scored 71 goals in 253 games. He also earned two full caps for the Soviet Union and played in two Olympic gamesSummer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
. He is most famous for his legendary ability to score from corner kicks and his ability to curve the ball and place it wherever he pleased; his immense fame gained from this led him to take over as a coach for Dynamo Kiev.
Managerial career
A year after retiring as a player Lobanovsky was named as the manager of FC Dnipro DnipropetrovskFC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
Football Club Dnipro is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Dnipropetrovsk.-BRIT:The club's franchise traces its history all the way back when the first team that was formed in 1918 by the Petrovsky factory and was called as BRIT . The team participated in the regional competition...
. After four relatively unremarkable years with Dnipro, Lobanovsky moved to his former club, Dynamo Kyiv, before the start of the 1974 season, he would manage the side for 15 of the next 17 years (he spent 1983–1984 managing the USSR). During these two spells Kyiv were successful in breaking the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n dominance of Soviet football. Lobanovsky led his side to the Soviet super league eight times, the cup six times, the European Cup Winners' Cup of 1975 and 1986, and European Super Cup of 1975.
Lobanovsky also spent three spells managing the Soviet Union during this period. He took the side to the bronze medal in the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
during his first spell. However, it was his third, and last, spell with the side that he gained the most attention. He was asked to manage the side on the eve of the 1986 World Cup. The side, which consisted mainly of his own Dynamo Kyiv players, finished top of their group, but were knocked out in the second round by Belgium 4–3 after extra time. The team did, however, achieve far greater success at the 1988 European Championship. The team again finished top of their group, beating the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
on the way. However, they played the Netherlands again in the final and failed to repeat their previous victory.
Perestroika
Perestroika was a political movement within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union during 1980s, widely associated with the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev...
many of Lobanovsky's best players, for both club and country, left the USSR to play in Western Europe. Going into the 1990 World Cup he couldn't call upon his own Kyiv players to form the core of the side as he had previously done. His subsequent lack of ability to completely control his side led to the team finishing bottom of their group.
Following the debacle of the World Cup, Lobanovsky decided to leave Dynamo Kyiv and take up the lucrative offer of managing the United Arab Emirates national football team
United Arab Emirates national football team
The United Arab Emirates national football team represents United Arab Emirates in association football and is controlled by the United Arab Emirates Football Association, the governing body for football in United Arab Emirates...
. After four relatively lacklustre years he was sacked and went on to spend the next two years managing the Kuwait national football team
Kuwait national football team
The Kuwait National Football Team is the national team of Kuwait and is controlled by the Kuwait Football Association. They made one World Cup Finals appearance, in 1982, managing a draw with Czechoslovakia but losing to England and France. During the match against France, France scored a goal...
, before he was again sacked.
In January 1997 Lobanovsky returned to manage Dynamo Kyiv for a third time. The club by this time had fallen somewhat from their former heights. The club had been thrown out of European competition by UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
following attempts to bribe an official, and the club was also struggling somewhat in the league. Lobanovsky, however, managed to turn the club around quickly. Aside from leading the team to five consecutive championships, Lobanovsky managed to turn the side into one of the best sides in Europe, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in 1999. He was made manager of the Ukraine national side in March 2000, but was sacked after the side lost a playoff to reach the 2002 World Cup to Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
.
Lobanovsky suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
on 7 May 2002, shortly after his Dynamo Kyiv side had beaten FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya
FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya
FC Metalurh Zaporizhya is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Zaporizhia. The club has always been in the top league, since the first season in 1992 until the season 2010/11 when it took the last position and was relegated to the Ukrainian First League.- Early years :The...
. He died on 13 May, during brain surgery, following complications suffered after the stroke. At the Champions League final
2002 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2002 UEFA Champions League Final was the final match of the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League, Europe's primary club football competition. The show-piece event was contested between Bayer Leverkusen of Germany and Real Madrid of Spain at the Hampden Park in Glasgow, on Wednesday, 15 May 2002, to...
in Glasgow
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
two days later, UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
held a minute's silence in his honour.
Remembrance
Following his death Lobanovsky was awarded the title Hero of UkraineHero of Ukraine
Hero of Ukraine is the highest state decoration that can be conferred upon an individual citizen by the Government of Ukraine. The title was created in 1998 by President Leonid Kuchma and as of August 25 2011 the total number of awards is 265. The award is divided into two classes of distinction:...
, the nation's highest honour. Dynamo Kyiv's stadium was also renamed the Lobanovsky Stadium
Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium
Dynamo Stadium named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy is a football stadium in Kiev, Ukraine. It is currently used for football matches, and is the home of FC Dynamo Kyiv...
in his honour.
Lobanovsky was buried at Baikove Cemetery where an impressive monument surrounds his tomb.
After his death, A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
won the Champions League in 2003 with Andriy Shevchenko
Andriy Shevchenko
Andriy Mykolayovych Shevchenko is a Ukrainian footballer who plays for Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukraine national team as a striker. He is the third-highest scorer in the history of European club competition with 67 goals as of 2011-03-10, behind Filippo Inzaghi and Raúl. With 175 goals scored with A.C...
in the team. After the victory Shevchenko flew to Kyiv to put his medal by the grave of his former manager.
In 2005 the Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament
Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament
Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament ; and since 2005 it is called the International Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament . This tournament was created in honour and memory of Valeri Lobanovsky since his death on 13 May 2002, hence the name Memorial. The idea was initiated by the FC Dynamo Kyiv...
was founded.
Personal life
Lobanovsky was married to Ada Lobanovskaya, the couple had a daughter named Svitlana. She owns a restaurant in KievKiev
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....
called "U metra".
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| 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... |
1959 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 |
| 1960 | 29 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 12 | |
| 1961 | 28 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 10 | |
| 1962 | 30 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 8 | |
| 1963 | 38 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 8 | |
| 1964 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| Total | 144 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 147 | 42 | |
| Chornomorets | 1965 Soviet Top League 1965 *17 teams took part in the league with FC Torpedo Moscow winning the championship.*FC Torpedo Moscow qualified for Champions Cup 1966-67 and FC Spartak Moscow qualified for CWC 1966-67.-League standings:... |
28 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 10 |
| 1966 | 31 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 10 | |
| Total | 59 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 63 | 20 | |
| Shakhtar FC Shakhtar Donetsk FC Shakhtar Donetsk is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Donetsk. Shakhtar has appeared in several European competitions and currently is often a participant of the UEFA Champions League. The club became the first Ukrainian club to win the UEFA Cup in 2009, the last year... |
1967 | 32 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 34 | 10 |
| 1968 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 6 | |
| Total | 50 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 53 | 16 | |
| Career Total | 253 | 71 | 10 | 7 | 263 | 78 | |
Player
Dynamo Kyiv- 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...
(1): 19611961 Soviet Top League-Group A:P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; Pts = Points-Group B:P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; Pts = Points... - 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....
(1): 1964
Manager
Dynamo Kyiv- 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...
(8): 1974, 19751975 Soviet Top LeagueThe 1975 season of the Soviet Top League proved that Dynamo Kyiv was at the moment unbeatable for other Soviet clubs. Besides that, the Ukrainian club was one of the strongest on the international arena, winning the UEFA Cup Winners Cup the same year...
, 1977, 1980, 1981, 19851985 Soviet Top League* Draw limit - 10 games, overlimit is deducted.* Next season the League has been planned to be reduced to 16 members. The teams that placed 15th and 16th played a mini-tournament with the two best out of the Soviet First League...
, 19861986 Soviet Top LeagueThe 1986 Soviet Top League season was the 49th since its establishment. Dynamo Kyiv were the defending 11-times champions.A total of sixteen teams participated in the league, which is two teams less than in the 1985 season and no teams were promoted from the First League, due to the league...
, 19901990 Soviet Top LeagueThe 1990 Soviet Top League season was the 53rd since its establishment. Spartak Moscow were the defending 12-times champions. The league was shortened and a total of fourteen teams participated. By the start of the season both Georgian teams have withdrew followed by another withdrawal from... - 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....
(6): 1974, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1987, 19901990 Soviet Cup FinalThe 1990 Soviet Cup Final was a football match that took place at the Lenin's Central Stadium, Moscow on May 2, 1990. The match was the 49th Soviet Cup Final and it was contested by FC Dynamo Kyiv and FC Lokomotiv Moscow. The Soviet Cup winner Dynamo qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup first round... - USSR Super CupUSSR Super CupThe USSR Super Cup, or Season's Cup, featured the winners of the previous season's Soviet Top League and USSR Cup in a one or two legged playoff for the trophy. The competition never took off, as the Super Cup winner was only determined 7 times in the last 15 years of Soviet football. It wasn't...
(3): 1980, 1985, 1986 - 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...
(5): 1997, 1998Ukrainian Premier League 1997-98-Preseason changes:Managers-Final table of Ukrainian Premier League season 1997-98:Note:* In bold are the participants of the 1998 Ukrainian Cup Final.-Top goalscorers:-Managers:-External links:*...
, 1999Ukrainian Premier League 1998-99-Preseason changes:Managers-Final table of Ukrainian Premier League season 1998-99:Note:* In bold are the participants of the 1999 Ukrainian Cup Final.-Top goalscorers:Notable Transfers...
, 2000, 2001Ukrainian Premier League 2000-01-Preseason changes:Managers-Final table of Ukrainian Premier League season 2000-01:Note:* In bold are the participants of the 2001 Ukrainian Cup Final.-Top goalscorers:Notable Transfers... - 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...
(3): 19981998 Ukrainian Cup FinalThe 1998 Ukrainian Cup Final is a football match that took place at the NSC Olimpiyskiy on May 31, 1998. The match was the 7th Ukrainian Cup Final and it was contested by both Kievan clubs FC Dynamo Kyiv and FC CSKA Kyiv. The 1998 Ukrainian Cup Final was the seventh to be held in the Ukrainian...
, 1999Ukrainian Cup 1998-99The 1998-99 Ukrainian Cup was the eighth annual season of Ukraine's football knockout competition, also known as Kubok of Ukraine.The Cup began with a Preliminary Round ....
, 2000 - UEFA Cup Winners Cup (2): 1975, 1986
- UEFA Super Cup (1): 1975
- Commonwealth of Independent States CupCommonwealth of Independent States CupThe Commonwealth of Independent States Cup is a tournament for football clubs which was set up after the split of the Soviet Union. It is open to all the national champions of the successor states of the Union, i.e., the Commonwealth of Independent States member states, as well as Estonia, Latvia,...
(2): 1997, 1998