Retired Ukrainian football star Andriy Shevchenko on Tuesday was officially unveiled as an assistant coach of the country's football team.
The 39-year-old former striker will join the national team to assist in preparations for the 2016 European Championships, a statement on the Ukrainian Football Federation's website said, reports Xinhua.
While commenting on his appointment, Shevchenko, who in 2012 has rejected the offer to become the head coach of the national team due to his lack of experience, said that he used the past four years to prepare for joining the team's coaching staff.
The best player in Europe in 2004
"I have obtained the needed licenses and received a proper education," Shevchenko told reporters here.
Shevchenko, who was named the best player in Europe in 2004, began the career with Dynamo Kiev, making his debut in 1994.
In 1999, he joined Italian giants AC Milan, where he played for seven years, scoring 175 goals in 322 games, thus becoming one of the most prominent strikers in Europe.
In May 2006, Shevchenko signed a four-year contract with Chelsea, but his career in the London-based club was less successful and in 2009 the Ukrainian striker returned to Dynamo Kiev.
For Ukraine's national team, Shevchenko netted 48 goals in 111 appearances, becoming their all-time top scorer. In 2012, Shevchenko announced his retirement from football.
