Serbian expert was replaced by Yevgeniy Kalinichenko, who led the Ternopil "Niva" last fall. After the team returns from vacation, he will be introduced as the new coach on February 17th. Although Kalinichenko has no reason to envy others, since in January "Minay" left a whole group of leading players.

Meanwhile, "Metalist 1925", which was the first to start preparing for competition in the championship group, managed to play several friendlies already this year. Specifically, Slobozhanskyi suffered a heavy defeat against "Left Bank" (0:3), and then secured a victory over another representative of the elite division — "Ingulets" (1:0). An agreement has been reached that Illya Krups'kyi, a newcomer to Kharkiv, will spend the second half of the season on loan with "Vorskla".

As for "Bukovyna", which also resumed training, there are currently 24 footballers in their ranks, including two newcomers — Rodion Plyaxa from "Oleksandria" and Kyrylo Prokopych from "Minay". Now Bukovynians are focused on inviting a goal-scoring forward. The first stage of preparation will conclude with a friendly match against second-division "Reviero 1908" on February 15th, after which they will travel to Uzhhorod for two training camps. Meanwhile, renovations at the "Bukovyna" stadium are nearing completion in preparation for the quarter-final match of the Cup of Ukraine against "Viktoriya".

The footballers of "Epitsentr", who lead the championship group, have returned from vacation. Podolyans have been reinforced with their first winter recruit — Yegor Demchenko, who played for "Karpatskiy" and "Mariupol" last year. In the coming days, the players under Serhiy Nagornyak's guidance will test their strength against amateurs: on February 9th — against "Polsia" (Stavky), and on the 13th — against FC "Lesne".

Thirty footballers are currently in training with "Metalist" in Uzhhorod. Kharkivians sold their leader, 18-year-old Hennadiy Synchuk, to an MLS club — "Montreal" at a very good price. In return, Danilo Kaidalov has returned from serious injury and is training individually according to his rehabilitation program, while Denys Pidruchnyi, who underwent shoulder surgery during vacation, is also back in action. During the preparatory period, Kharkivians will play nine friendly matches.

"Poltava", on the other hand, has already determined its February sparring partners — "Girnik-Sport", "Viktoriya", and YUKSA. Maxim Marusich and Volodymyr Odaryuk have extended their contracts with the club.

"Przemyśl" signed three free agents right away — Yuriy Romanuk from amateur "Trostyanets'" (Volyn), Myroslav Trofymuk from "Kremen", and Oleksandr Tsybulnyk from "Podillya". They are expected to help their new team avoid relegation.

Unfortunately, it is currently unknown when "Mariupol" and "Dinaz" will start training. Due to organizational issues, these teams have already left the group of leading performers.

Calendar and standings