Valerii Vasyliovych, you are with us!

Five years have passed since the death of outstanding soccer coach Valerii Lobanovsky. The years without him have once again underlined his scope, his impact on soccer — and not just on this sport. Kyiv Dynamo players, coaches, schoolchildren, fans, and ordinary soccer-lovers are not the only ones who will never forget Lobanovsky. The personality of this renowned coach, who was ahead of his time, will remain in everyone’s memory, hence in history.

What does it mean to be loyal to Lobanovsky’s principles today? One does not have to copy his work methods — and not just because the uniqueness of prominent people cannot be repeated. Lobanovsky lived in a different time, in a different country, under different economic and political conditions. And soccer itself has moved far ahead thanks to the efforts of leading soccer players and world soccer professionals.

But all this only underlines the greatness of Lobanovsky’s example for each of us. His personality was important not only and not so much due to innovations in the tactics of playing soccer or progress in the methods for training athletes. The Lobanovsky name is first of all fidelity to principle and consistency in upholding one’s position, persistence in attaining one’s goals under any conditions, the ability to withstand the harsh blows of fate and remain true to oneself.

These traits, as embodied in Lobanovsky, remain in the memory of millions of people and made him a Ukrainian national hero and national symbol. I believe that many victories await our soccer in the future. But there will be no new Lobanovsky. There will only be his everlasting memory, and nationwide honor and respect.