Football
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Andriy Shevchenko named Ukraine assistant manager ahead of Euro 2016

Former Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko has joined his country's coaching staff ahead of Euro 2016.

The 2004 Ballon d'Or winner, who played for AC Milan, Chelsea and Dynamo Kiev, has succeeded Olexandr Zavarov as assistant to head coach Mykhaylo Fomenko.

Shevchenko scored 48 goals in 111 international appearances, representing his country at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and at Euro 2012, co-hosted by Ukraine and Poland.

The Football Federation of Ukraine decided not to extend Zavarov's contract, and Fomenko announced the appointment of Shevchenko on Tuesday.

"We made our choice in favour of Shevchenko, who will be working with Ukraine's coaching staff,'' Fomenko told a news conference.

The 39-year-old Shevchenko turned down a chance to become Ukraine's head coach in 2012, claiming he did not have the required qualifications, but in March 2015 completed a two-year programme for a UEFA pro licence.

"After almost four years on vacation, I am coming back to big football, as a coach," Shevchenko told the news conference. "I worked with great coaches like Valery Lobanovskyi, Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho [at Kiev, Milan and Chelsea] and got a huge experience.

"Coaching courses helped me to shape up my ideas and determine my own vision of football. Hopefully this will help me in the future.''

Ukraine have been drawn in Group C at Euro 2016 along with Germany, Poland and Northern Ireland.

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