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Leonid KoltunUkrainian football player
Date of Birth: 07.09.1944
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Early Life and Soccer Career
Born on September 7, 1944, in Kharkiv, Leonid Koltun grew up near the Dzerzhinets Stadium (now Metalist Stadium). From a young age, he aspired to become a goalkeeper. In 1961, he joined the Avanhard team. Soon after, he caught the attention of the Soviet Union youth team, playing in multiple tournaments.
In 1965, Koltun defended the goal for Nikolaev's Sudostroitel club. He then moved to Zvezda Kirovohrad. In 1969, he was recognized by Valery Lobanovsky and joined FC Dnipro in May 1970. Koltun made history as Dnipro's first player to be called up to the Soviet national team. In 1974, Konstantin Beskov called him for a European Championship qualifier against Ireland, where he served as a substitute.
Coaching Career
Koltun began his coaching career with FC Dnipro in 1980. He credits working with Vladimir Yemets and Gennady Zhizdik as the best years of his life.
In 1990, a scandal erupted within Dnipro. Coach Yevgeny Kucherivsky sold key players before a Champions League quarterfinal against Benfica. Koltun criticized him, leading to his departure from Dnipro in 1991.
Koltun joined FC Rotor Volgograd, bringing along several Dnipro players. The team won the Soviet First League championship under his guidance. He later coached in various clubs, including Metalurh Zaporizhzhya, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, and FC Dnipro again.
Achievements
Two-time Soviet Top League champion with FC Dnipro (1983, 1988)Soviet Cup winner with FC Dnipro (1989)
Led FC Rotor Volgograd to promotion to the Top League (1991)
Led FC Evis Mykolaiv to promotion to the Top League (1994)
