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Yuriy VernidubSoviet and Ukrainian footballer, defender and midfielder, coach
Date of Birth: 22.01.1966
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Childhood and Early Career
- Journey through Lower and First Divisions
- Captaincy and European Success with Zenit
- Coaching Career
- Achievements as a Manager
- Current Position
- Honors
- Personal:
Childhood and Early Career
Yevhen Yurchenko, born in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, began his football journey in his hometown. In 1983, he made his professional debut for Spartak Zhytomyr in the Soviet Second League. He went on to represent Kolos Nikopol (1987) before joining FC Dnipro in 1988. However, he failed to feature for Dnipro and departed the club.
Journey through Lower and First Divisions
Yurchenko found a home at Prykarpattya Ivano-Frankivsk, where he played the remainder of 1988. In 1989, he joined Metallurg Zaporozhye in the Soviet First League. He helped the team achieve promotion to the Top League, making his debut on March 11, 1991, against Spartak Moscow.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Yurchenko continued with Metallurg in the Ukrainian Premier League for two more seasons. From 1994 to 1996, he played for another Zaporozhye club, Torpedo. Despite a brief stint in Germany with Chemnitzer FC (1993), he returned to Ukraine, playing for Zenit Saint Petersburg from 1997.
Captaincy and European Success with Zenit
At Zenit, Yurchenko became captain and played a pivotal role in the team's success. He led Zenit to victory in the 1998/99 Russian Cup and made his European debut in 1999. Yurchenko also holds a degree from the Lesgaft National State University of Physical Culture, Sport, Health and Rehabilitation in Saint Petersburg.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Yurchenko became a coach at Metallurg Zaporozhye. He served as the team's caretaker manager from August 23 to September 29, 2007. In November 2011, he took over as caretaker manager of FC Zorya Luhansk, becoming permanent manager in May 2012.
Achievements as a Manager
Under Yurchenko's guidance, Zorya Luhansk reached the Ukrainian Cup final in 2015/16 and won the bronze medal in the 2016/17 Ukrainian Premier League. The team also made five consecutive appearances in European competitions, twice reaching the Europa League group stage. Yurchenko was twice named Ukrainian Coach of the Year (2016, 2018).
Current Position
In November 2019, Yurchenko became the manager of FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk in Belarus.
Honors
As a Player:Zenit Saint Petersburg:Russian Cup (1998/99)
Metallurg Zaporozhye:Soviet First League Bronze Medal (1990)
As a Manager:
Zorya Luhansk:Ukrainian Cup Finalist (2015/16), Ukrainian Premier League Bronze Medal (2016/17)
Personal:
Ukrainian Coach of the Year (2): 2016, 2018Personal Life
Yurchenko is married and has a son, Vitaliy, who is also a professional footballer.
