I hope this title will give the players a significant boost towards the next step
Friday, May 22, 2026
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Shakhtar’s U19 head coach Oleksii Bielik reflects on the victory over Kolos U19 and the league title
– Oleksii, congratulations on the victory and the title! What was this season like for you emotionally and professionally?
– I would like to thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the men and women who defend us and make it possible for us to compete on the football pitch and experience these emotions. As for football, the season was very difficult, just like the previous ones. I can only express my gratitude to my players as each of them gave their maximum and this resulted in team success. Winning the championship is very important not because we hold medals and the trophy, but primarily because of the development and progress of the footballers. In the dressing room, I told my players that I hope this achievement will give them a significant boost towards the next step into senior football.
– Shakhtar U19 have not been champions since 2021, so these gold medals are highly desired. In your view, what was the team’s main strength this season?
– No team have a chance of success without like-minded footballers, staff or a coaching team that share a common vision. I cannot say that this was not the case for us last season or the one before. This is football; despite the difficulties, we supported one another.
– During the match against Kolos U19, you had quite a few disputes with the referees…
– The referees handled their job well as the game was tense. We understand that all teams feel pressure, especially when victory is just one step away. As for the opponents, they are a good team, but they were not under the same pressure, as they were positioned in the middle of the table and, in my view, could play more freely. However, there are things that happen off the pitch in youth football, and I believe such things should not occur. The match was tense and it could not have been otherwise. This achievement is the result of the work of the entire team over the course of the season.
– You joined Shakhtar in 1998 as a player. Could you have imagined then that one day you would become the head coach of the U19 team and lift the trophy and gold medals?
– I think not at that time. As a player born in Donetsk, I dreamed of becoming a Shakhtar footballer and winning the league title, and I could not imagine that I would one day be coaching young players and passing on my experience. But when a career ends, you start to reflect, and I had always thought about working within Shakhtar’s structure. For me, this is the beginning of the journey, and I believe I will be able to progress and achieve my goals.
– Shakhtar U19 have the UEFA Youth League ahead of them. What are your future dreams and objectives?
– We have already had discussions with the Academy management and we will meet again soon as a youth championship will be introduced shortly – we need to develop a strategy for how we will move forward. I would also like to congratulate the first team on the title, because although we achieved our own league victory and can progress in the UEFA Youth League via the champions path, when the senior team win, it opens a route where you can gain invaluable experience playing against teams such as Arsenal, Real Madrid, Bayern München and others. An important tournament lies ahead, and I hope that together with the management we will develop an appropriate strategy that will allow us to prepare high-quality Academy footballers who can transition smoothly into senior football.
– What would you like to say to the fans after this title-winning season?
– I would like to sincerely thank the fans for being there in great numbers and we are truly pleased that you supported us. Without your support, matches are less emotional; you motivate the footballers. Wherever we play, we know that you are watching us and supporting us and you are also part of this achievement. It would have been more difficult for us to achieve success without you in the stands.
– I would like to thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the men and women who defend us and make it possible for us to compete on the football pitch and experience these emotions. As for football, the season was very difficult, just like the previous ones. I can only express my gratitude to my players as each of them gave their maximum and this resulted in team success. Winning the championship is very important not because we hold medals and the trophy, but primarily because of the development and progress of the footballers. In the dressing room, I told my players that I hope this achievement will give them a significant boost towards the next step into senior football.
– Shakhtar U19 have not been champions since 2021, so these gold medals are highly desired. In your view, what was the team’s main strength this season?
– No team have a chance of success without like-minded footballers, staff or a coaching team that share a common vision. I cannot say that this was not the case for us last season or the one before. This is football; despite the difficulties, we supported one another.
– During the match against Kolos U19, you had quite a few disputes with the referees…
– The referees handled their job well as the game was tense. We understand that all teams feel pressure, especially when victory is just one step away. As for the opponents, they are a good team, but they were not under the same pressure, as they were positioned in the middle of the table and, in my view, could play more freely. However, there are things that happen off the pitch in youth football, and I believe such things should not occur. The match was tense and it could not have been otherwise. This achievement is the result of the work of the entire team over the course of the season.
– You joined Shakhtar in 1998 as a player. Could you have imagined then that one day you would become the head coach of the U19 team and lift the trophy and gold medals?
– I think not at that time. As a player born in Donetsk, I dreamed of becoming a Shakhtar footballer and winning the league title, and I could not imagine that I would one day be coaching young players and passing on my experience. But when a career ends, you start to reflect, and I had always thought about working within Shakhtar’s structure. For me, this is the beginning of the journey, and I believe I will be able to progress and achieve my goals.
– Shakhtar U19 have the UEFA Youth League ahead of them. What are your future dreams and objectives?
– We have already had discussions with the Academy management and we will meet again soon as a youth championship will be introduced shortly – we need to develop a strategy for how we will move forward. I would also like to congratulate the first team on the title, because although we achieved our own league victory and can progress in the UEFA Youth League via the champions path, when the senior team win, it opens a route where you can gain invaluable experience playing against teams such as Arsenal, Real Madrid, Bayern München and others. An important tournament lies ahead, and I hope that together with the management we will develop an appropriate strategy that will allow us to prepare high-quality Academy footballers who can transition smoothly into senior football.
– What would you like to say to the fans after this title-winning season?
– I would like to sincerely thank the fans for being there in great numbers and we are truly pleased that you supported us. Without your support, matches are less emotional; you motivate the footballers. Wherever we play, we know that you are watching us and supporting us and you are also part of this achievement. It would have been more difficult for us to achieve success without you in the stands.