Blokhin takes over Dynamo reins

Dynamo Kiev have named Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin as their new manager. Blokhin, who will remain in charge of Ukraine for next month's FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers against Moldova and Montenegro before concentrating on club duties, has signed a four-year contract with Dynamo as the replacement for the sacked Yuri Semin. The 59-year-old Blokhin spent much of his playing career with Dynamo and was a prolific goalscorer for the club in the 1970s and 80s. He also holds the record for appearances (112) and goals (42) for the Soviet Union. "Last night I had almost no sleep as Igor [Dynamo president Surkis] called me very late and I had to think about everything," Blokhin said on fcdynamo.kiev.ua. "It's a major responsibility. You need to be here every day, and sometimes working around the clock, to restore Dynamo to their former glory." Dynamo parted company with Semin yesterday following a run of four defeats in their last five matches in all competitions. A 4-1 loss against PSG in the UEFA Champions League last week was followed by the same score in the Ukraine Cup against main domestic rivals Shakhtar Donetsk, who also beat Dynamo 3-1 in the league on 2 September. Dynamo have made a decent start to their Premier League campaign, though, with seven wins from their opening nine encounters to lie third. From : Fifa