 |
Andrey KovtunSoviet and Ukrainian football player, coach
Date of Birth: 28.02.1968
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Biography of Andriy Kovtun
Andriy Kovtun is a former Soviet and Ukrainian football player and coach. He was born on February 5, 1969, in Nezhin, Ukraine. Kovtun began his football career as a goalkeeper in the Kiev Football Academy, where he was trained and developed as a player.
Playing Career
After completing his training at the Kiev Football Academy, Kovtun joined the reserve team of the Kiev-based club, Dynamo Kyiv. In 1990, he moved to Shakhtar Donetsk, where he played 44 matches over the course of two years. Kovtun then returned to Dynamo Kyiv in 1992, but he never became the team's first-choice goalkeeper.
In 1994, he spent half a season playing for Krivbass, before returning to Dynamo Kyiv for another season. From 1996 to 2001, Kovtun was the main goalkeeper for Vorskla Poltava. He then played for Zakarpattia from 2001 to 2002 before retiring from professional football. Throughout his career, Kovtun played 80 matches in the top league of the Ukrainian championship and kept 80 clean sheets. He also saved 7 out of 28 penalty kicks against him.
Kovtun represented the Ukrainian national team in two matches. He made his debut on April 27, 1993, in a friendly match against the Israeli national team. Despite not being the first-choice goalkeeper for Dynamo Kyiv, Kovtun was called up to the national team.
Coaching Career
After retiring from professional football, Kovtun initially worked as a goalkeeper coach for the team "Knyazha" under the guidance of Vitaliy Levchenko. He then ventured into small business in his hometown of Nezhin before returning to football. Kovtun worked as a coach for the team "Yednist" in Plisky for six months. He later joined the coaching staff of CSKA Kyiv. Simultaneously, Kovtun played for the amateur team "Irpen" from Gorenichi, with whom he won the Amateur Cup of Ukraine in 2008. Since 2011, he has been working as a goalkeeper coach for FC Oleksandriya.
Achievements
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship winner: 1990
- Ukrainian Premier League champion: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
- Ukrainian Cup winner: 1993, 1996
