Shakhtar Donetsk Sack Coach, Begin Hunt For Successor

The Champions of the Ukrainian league, Shakhtar Donetsk parted ways with their head coach, Patrick van Leeuwen earlier today, October 16.

Shakhtar Donetsk decided to sack the Dutch tactician barely three months after appointing him due to a poor run of form especially in the league.

Van Leeuwen was only in charge of the Ukrainian champions for just 12 games in all competitions before he was kicked out of the club even though the Dutchman signed a two-year deal in July 2023.

When Shakhtar Donetsk announced his sack earlier today, they didn’t make mention of his successor as Van Leeuwen departed with his coaching crew.

Naija News gathered that the Ukrainian side who play their home league games at Arena Lviv in Lviv, Ukraine due to the crisis between the country and Russia which has hugely impacted the city of Donetsk, decided to sack the Dutchman after losing 2-1 at home against Vorskla Poltava.

Van Leeuwen’s last competitive game in charge of the club was the 3-2 victory over Royal Antwerp in the Champions League group stage game on October 4.

They are currently sitting on the 3rd spot on the league table with 18 points in 9 games after 5 wins, three draws, and one defeat.

Their next league game is against LNZ on October 21 and the club’s director, Darijo Srna could serve as the club’s interim manager while they continue to search for a permanent coach.