Yuriy Vernydub: From beating Real to defending Ukraine

Yuriy Vernydub: Life for Ukrainian was so different before Russian chief Vladimir Putin decided to invade them. The general citizens were going through their daily hustle and then suddenly Russia’s invasion news as a shock and things completely became haywire. Follow all the football updates only on InsideSport.IN

Such was the case for Moldovan National division outfit Sheriff Tiraspol’s head coach Yuriy Vernydub. The 56-year-old tactician has been doing his work diligently in guiding Sheriff to the top of the league table when suddenly he got the news and returned to his homeland for a different battle far from the football field.

Vernydub was seen celebrating passionately after Sheriff defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League. The 2-1 win for the Moldovan club meant that he became a part of history. The victory allowed Sheriff to top Group D, a group that had 13-time Champions League winner Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk. However little did he know that six months after his career defining win over Real Madrid, he will be rushing back to Ukraine to protect his nation from Russian invaders.

In September 2021, Yuriy Vernydub Led FC Sheriff to a Historic Victory against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in one of the biggest-ever Champions League shocks.

Now, Sheriff's Manager – Yuri Vernudyb is Back in his native – Ukraine, defending his country.

💪🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/4n7NyTx6uA

— AZR (@AzrOrganization) March 1, 2022

Vernydub had to leave his team in their mid Europa League campaign to rush back to Ukraine where he was seen taking the road as he is fighting in arms with his other Ukrainian people from Russian invaders. Like many other eminent Ukrainian personalities, Vernydub has also taken up the uniform of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and has taken up weapons to protect himself and his near and dear ones.

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The 56-year-old Ukrainian tactician revealed that it was his son who broke him the news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the first thing that he thought of was returning home and fighting by his people after joining the army. Vernydub shared that he joined the army immediately after returning to his homeland despite his family suggesting him not to do so.

“My son called me at 4:30 am and he told me the Russians attacked us. I knew then that I would return to Ukraine to fight,” Vernydub was quoted by BBC.

“We flew home and landed in Iasi, Romania. I then went by bus to Tiraspol, in Transnistria, with the rest of the team on Friday evening and left for Ukraine first thing on Saturday morning. I enrolled on Sunday,” He added.

Born in Zhytomyr, a northern city in Ukraine, Vernydub was a professional football and has featured for teams like Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg. Then after hanging up his boots he decided to take up coaching and his first experience as a coach was in 2002 when he joined Ukrainian outfit Metalurh Zaporizhzhia as an assistant coach.

Yuriy Vernydub: The Sheriff manager who defeated Real Madrid is now on the streets of Ukraine defending his country

He joined Sheriff Tiraspol in 2020 and guided them to the Moldovan National Division title in his first year in charge of the club. He then steered them to the main round of the Champions League which was historic enough for the Moldovan outfit. But then he topped it by winning against Real Madrid and etching his name in the history of the Champions League.

However, now he has taken up arms and is fighting for his homeland against Russian invaders. Vernydub shares how his children their wives and grandchildren can move to Moldova and be secure but he has no intention of leaving Ukraine.

“The people close to me tried to stop me. My wife, my children, my grandchildren. I stood strong and I thank my wife for supporting me. She knows my character. If I make a decision, I won’t change it,” said the 56-year-old.

“We could have gone to Moldova and this option is still open for my children, for their wives, for my grandchildren. But me and my wife – we are staying here for sure,” he added.

Athletics