- May 24, 2025
- 8:12 pm
- Israel
Ukrainian Football Star: Oleg Luzhny — The Path to the Top
Oleg Romanovych Luzhny, originally from Lviv, is a figure well known to every Ukrainian football fan. His career began at DUSSH “Karpaty” under the guidance of Yuriy Hdanskyi and Yuriy Dyachuk-Stavytskyi. Later, he studied at the Lviv School of Physical Culture, a renowned center for developing football talent in Galicia.
Luzhny gained his first professional experience at “Torpedo” Lutsk (1985–1988) and SKA “Karpaty” Lviv (1988). These clubs served as launching pads for his professional career.
“Dynamo” Kyiv: Rise and Triumph
In 1989, Luzhny joined “Dynamo” Kyiv, quickly securing a place in the starting lineup. As a right back, he became a key player for the team.
Among his achievements at “Dynamo”:
- USSR Champion (1990)
- USSR Cup Winner (1990)
- Seven consecutive Ukrainian championships (1993–1999)
- Four Ukrainian Cups
He captained the legendary “Dynamo” squad that in the 1997–1998 season crushed “Barcelona” with a total score of 7:0, and in the next season knocked out “Real” Madrid (3:1) to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Playing in England and National Team Record
After his triumphs at “Dynamo”, Luzhny moved to England to play for “Arsenal” (London) from 1999 to 2003. With “Arsenal”, he won:
- The English Premier League
- Two FA Cups
After “Arsenal”, Luzhny spent another year at “Wolverhampton”, ending his career at a high level.
In the Ukrainian national team, he played 52 matches and captained the team 39 times — a record that remains unbroken to this day. In 2000, he was included in the symbolic Ukrainian national team of the 20th century, only behind such legends as Oleh Blokhin, Andriy Shevchenko, and Anatoliy Demyanenko.
The Coaching Path: Experience and Achievements
Luzhny began his coaching career in 2005, taking charge of the Latvian club “Venta”. In 2007 and 2010, he twice served as acting head coach of “Dynamo” Kyiv, and from 2012 to 2013, he managed “Tavria” Simferopol. From 2017 to 2019, he worked on the staff of Oleksandr Khatskevych at “Dynamo”.
Currently, he holds the position of sporting director at the Ukrainian Football Federation, but has not officially returned to coaching.
Why “Maccabi Haifa”?
According to the site Ukrainian Football and NAnews – Israel News, Luzhny is one of the favorites for the position of head coach of “Maccabi Haifa”, the most titled club in Israel.
Facts about the club:
- 15 Israeli championships
- 6 Israeli Cups
Currently playing for the club is Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Syrota, on loan from “Dynamo” Kyiv. This strengthens the Ukrainian-Israeli football connection and underscores the cultural cooperation between the two nations.
Also, we wrote that the clubs “Oleksandriya” and “Maccabi” (Haifa) have reached an agreement on the transfer of goalkeeper Heorhiy Yermakov to the Israeli team.
Legal and Ethical Question: Will Luzhny Be Able to Leave?
According to martial law in Ukraine, men under 60 (Luzhny is 56) are prohibited from leaving the country. This is a significant legal and moral challenge that may impact negotiations with “Maccabi Haifa”.
Luzhny’s Achievements Table
| Club | Period | Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| “Torpedo” Lutsk | 1985–1988 | First professional club |
| SKA “Karpaty” Lviv | 1988 | Continued career in Lviv |
| “Dynamo” Kyiv | 1989–1999 | 7 Ukrainian championships, 4 Ukrainian Cups, USSR Cup and Championship, UCL semi-final |
| “Arsenal” London | 1999–2003 | Premier League and 2 FA Cups |
| “Wolverhampton” | 2003–2004 | Career completion |
| Coaching career | 2005–2019 | “Venta”, “Dynamo”, “Tavria”, Khatskevych’s staff |
What They Say in Ukraine and Israel?
The “Ukrainian Football” publication emphasizes:
“Maccabi Haifa” is the most titled club in Israel, and Luzhny is a symbol of Ukrainian football. His arrival could become a landmark for both countries.”
NAnews – Israel News states:
“Football is a bridge between nations, especially in challenging times. Luzhny’s appointment could become an important chapter in the history of relations between Ukraine and Israel.”
Importance of the Transition
This news is not just a sporting sensation. It’s a new stage in the relationship between the Ukrainian and Jewish peoples, strengthening ties between our countries and communities. Follow the development of this story on NAnews – Israel News — because for many Jews in Israel with Ukrainian roots, this news has special significance.
