Patrick van Leeuwen is the new director of the FC Shakhtar Academy
Thursday, October 29, 2026
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Dutch specialist returns to the Donetsk club
Patrick van Leeuwen has been appointed the new director of the FC Shakhtar Academy. The Dutchman has signed a three-year contract. Van Leeuwen will take up his duties in November.
As a reminder, Van Leeuwen previously served as coordinator and head of the Miners’ Academy from 2006 to 2013. During that period, the Donetsk club’s school reached a new level and became a leading force in Ukrainian football.
Background
Patrick van Leeuwen was born on August 8, 1969 in Assen (the Netherlands).
He began his player career at Sparta Rotterdam where he played for the first team in 1991–1994. He also played for Helmond Sport (1994–1996).
Manager and coach career: Feyenoord Academy coordinator (2000–2006), Shakhtar Academy coordinator and director (2006–2013), Kairat sporting director (Kazakhstan; 2013–2015), Maccabi Tel Aviv Academy director (Israel; 2016–2020), Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach (Israel; 2020–2021), Zorya head coach (Luhansk; 2022–2023), Shakhtar head coach (July–October 2023), Metalist head coach (2024–2025), Kryvbas head coach (2025–2026).
Achievements: the Israel State Cup winner (2021). Best UPL Coach of the 2022/23 season based on the results of the club polling.
As a reminder, Van Leeuwen previously served as coordinator and head of the Miners’ Academy from 2006 to 2013. During that period, the Donetsk club’s school reached a new level and became a leading force in Ukrainian football.
Background
Patrick van Leeuwen was born on August 8, 1969 in Assen (the Netherlands).
He began his player career at Sparta Rotterdam where he played for the first team in 1991–1994. He also played for Helmond Sport (1994–1996).
Manager and coach career: Feyenoord Academy coordinator (2000–2006), Shakhtar Academy coordinator and director (2006–2013), Kairat sporting director (Kazakhstan; 2013–2015), Maccabi Tel Aviv Academy director (Israel; 2016–2020), Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach (Israel; 2020–2021), Zorya head coach (Luhansk; 2022–2023), Shakhtar head coach (July–October 2023), Metalist head coach (2024–2025), Kryvbas head coach (2025–2026).
Achievements: the Israel State Cup winner (2021). Best UPL Coach of the 2022/23 season based on the results of the club polling.