De Zerbi takes Shakhtar Donetsk job after 3 years with Sassuolo

Kiev, May 25, 2021 (AFP) - Roberto De Zerbi, the former manager of Serie A side Sassuolo, was unveiled as the new head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, the Ukrainian club announced on Tuesday.

The arrival of the 41-year-old Italian is seen as an attempt to restore Shakhtar's reputation after they lost the Ukrainian league title this season to bitter rivals Dynamo Kiev.

He replaces Portuguese manager Luis Castro who spent two years at Shakhtar.

"Roberto De Zerbi is going to be Shakhtar head coach for the next two seasons," the club said in a statement on its website, accompanied by a picture of De Zerbi holding Shakhtar's T-shirt together with the club's billionaire president Rinat Akhmetov.

The club did not disclose the financial terms of the deal but local media reported De Zerbi will earn up to four million euros ($4.9 million) a year.

Shakhtar, who are currently playing their home matches in Kiev due to the ongoing conflict in their native Donetsk, finished second in the league, 11 points behind Dynamo.

De Zerbi said earlier this month he was leaving Sassuolo after three years after guiding the club to eighth in Serie A this season.