23 years ago, on May 13, 2002, the heart of one of the most renowned coaches in Ukrainian and world football — Valeriy Vasilyevich Lobanovskyi — stopped beating.

The long-time mentor of Kyiv's Dynamo won eight championships of the USSR, five top-tier titles in Ukraine, and secured the Cup Winners' Cup (1975, 1986) and UEFA Super Cup (1975) with his white-and-blue team. From 2000 to 2002, Valeriy Lobanovskyi led the national team of Ukraine. He managed to qualify the Ukrainian team for the World Cup 2002 playoffs, but unfortunately, they did not make it to the tournament. The path of the Ukrainian team was blocked by future silver medalists of world football — the German national team.

Photo by Mykola Bokoch

The recognition of Lobanovskyi's contributions to European and world football is the UEFA Golden Badge and FIFA Order of Merit. In 2017, UEFA included Lobanovskyi in a list of ten most outstanding coaches in European football since the union was founded in 1954.

Valeriy Vasilyevich remained at his post until the very end despite health issues. On May 7, 2002, he suffered a stroke during a Dynamo match in Zaporizhzhia. Six days later, on May 13, his heart stopped.

Valeriy LOBANOVSKYI

(legendary Ukrainian coach)

Born on January 6, 1939 in Kyiv.

Masters of Sports of the USSR, Honored Coach of the USSR and Ukraine.

Playing position — forward.

Alumnus of Football School No. 1 (from 1952) and Youth Football School in Kyiv (since 1955).

Played for teams: «Dynamo» Kyiv (1959—1964), «Chornomorets» Odesa (1965—1966), «Shakhtar» Donetsk (1967—1968).

Champion of the USSR in 1961.

Cup winner of the USSR in 1964.

In the USSR Championship, played 253 matches, scored 71 goals.

Played two matches for the USSR national team and two matches for the Olympic team of the USSR.

Since October 1968 — coaching work.

Coached clubs: «Dnipro» Dnipropetrovsk (1968—1973), «Dynamo» Kyiv (1973—1982, 1984—1990, 1996—2002).

Photo by Vladimir Rasner

Champion of the USSR in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1985, and 1990.

Cup winner of the USSR in 1974, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1990.

Champion of Ukraine in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Cup winner of Ukraine in 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Cup Winner's Cup winner in 1975 and 1986.

UEFA Super Cup winner in 1975.

Semifinalist of the UEFA Cup/Champions League in 1977, 1987, and 1999.

Captained national teams: USSR (1975—1976, 1982—1983, 1986—1990), UAE (1990—1992), Kuwait (1994—1996), Ukraine (2000—2001).

Bronze medalist of the Olympic football tournament in 1976.

Vice-champion of Europe in 1988.

Bronze medalist of the Asian Games in 1994.

Died on May 13, 2002 in Zaporizhzhia. Buried at Baishevo Cemetery in Kyiv.

Photo by the press service of the UAF