Andrey Shevchenko, president of the Ukrainian Football Association, commented on Andrea Maldari's appointment as head coach of Ukraine:

"Andrea Maldari is an Italian with a Ukrainian soul. He has worked with our national team for five years, and after that continued to progress by working in top clubs. Andrea has experience working with great coaches and clubs, achieving results. It's important that now Maldari has ambitions as head coach. Most importantly - he understands how to work with the national team."