Exactly 20 years ago, on May 13, 2002, the heart of one of the most distinguished football coaches in Ukrainian and world football — Valeriy Vasilyevich Lobanovskyi — stopped.

Representatives of the Ukrainian Football Association visited Lobanovskyi's grave at Baikove Cemetery today, and then gathered near the Monument to the Metre by Dynamo Stadium in Kyiv, which bears his name.

To honor the memory of Valeriy Vasilyevich, First Vice-Presidents of the UAF Oleg Protasov, Oleksiy Mykhaylichenko, Anatoliy Demianenko and Vadim Kostyuchenko arrived. They shared personal recollections about him, recalled facts from his coaching biography, and laid flowers at the grave of the Metre.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

«The name of Lobanovskyi has been one of the symbols of Ukrainian football for many years, representing its outstanding victories and achievements. Valeriy Vasilyevich was a mentor, teacher, and inspiration to generations of football players. He was an incredible person and professional whose experience and football legacy remain relevant today. We are grateful and always remember our Metre with great warmth», — said former protégé of Lobanovskyi Oleg Protasov.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

«Valeriy Vasilyevich has left an enormous football legacy for Ukraine and the world. It is natural that today, one can see the fruits of great Lobanovskyi's work in the play and organization of training processes by many outstanding coaches around the globe. Lobanovskyi remains in our hearts, and his genius will always be an integral part of Ukrainian and world football», — noted Vadim Kostyuchenko.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

We remind you that the long-time coach of Kyiv's Dynamo led the club to eight gold medals in the USSR championship, five times — to the highest titles of Ukraine, won with the white and blue team the Cup of Champions (1975, 1986) and UEFA Super Cup (1975). In 2000–2002 he headed the national Ukrainian team. He managed to lead Ukrainians into the World Cup qualification playoffs for 2002, but unfortunately, it did not work out for them to travel in blue and yellow. The path of Ukraine's team was blocked by future silver medalists of world first place — Germany's national team.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

An assessment of the merits of the Metre to European and world football is the UEFA Ruby Order and FIFA's 'For Merit' order, which he holds. In 2017, UEFA included Lobanovskyi in the list of ten most outstanding coaches of European football since the union was founded in 1954.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

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

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Valeriy LOBANOVSKYI

(legendary Ukrainian coach)

Born on January 6, 1939 in Kyiv.

Masters of Sport 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 (FSM) in Kyiv (since 1955).

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

Champion of the USSR in 1961.

Cup winner of the USSR in 1964.

In the USSR championship, he played 253 matches, scoring 71 goals.

Played 2 matches for the USSR national team and 2 matches for the Olympic team of the USSR.

Since October 1968— coaching work.

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

Champion of the USSR in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986 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 of the Cup Winners' Cup 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.

Silver medalist of Europe in 1988.

Bronze medalist of the Asian Games in 1994.

Died on May 13, 2002 in Zaporizhzhya. Buried at Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv.