Shakhtar's head coach Patrick van Leeuwen watches prior the UEFA Champions League Group H soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Porto in Hamburg, Germany, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Ukrainian champion Shakhtar Donetsk said Monday that Dutch coach Patrick van Leeuwen’s contract has been terminated after just three months in charge.
Van Leeuwen, who was appointed in July on a two-year contract, leaves along with his coaching staff after overseeing just 12 games. Shakhtar didn’t give a reason for his departure or name a successor.
Shakhtar is third in the Ukrainian league after losing its last domestic game 2-1 to Vorskla Poltava on Sept. 30. Van Leeuwen’s last game in charge was a 3-2 win over Royal Antwerp on Oct. 4 which left Shakhtar third in its Champions League group behind Barcelona and Porto.
