Serhiy Popov and Roman Debelko have joined Kryvbas's coaching staff.

FC Kryvbas has unveiled an updated coaching staff for its first team. Serhiy Popov and Roman Debelko have joined the existing staff, which includes head coach Oleksandr Petrakov and coaches Oleksandr Kupalnyi, Andrii Bulychev, and Viacheslav Riabov.

Serhii Popov is an experienced 55-year-old Ukrainian specialist and a former player for the Ukrainian national team and Shakhtar Donetsk. Born on April 22, 1971, in Makiivka, Donetsk Oblast, he played as a defender for the "Miners" (Shakhtar). Over the course of his career, he made more than 300 official appearances at the top level, winning the Ukrainian Cup four times and the national championship in the 2001/2002 season. He also earned 54 caps for the Ukrainian national team, scoring five goals.

Following his playing career, Serhii Oleksandrovych turned to coaching. He has worked with Shakhtar’s youth teams and various Ukrainian national youth squads, and has served on the coaching staffs of Metalist, Zorya, Vorskla, and Metalist 1925. He also possesses experience working abroad as a head coach.

Roman Debelko is a familiar face to the "Red-and-Whites." After concluding his professional playing career in 2025, he began his coaching journey within the Kryvbas Football Academy, working with young players. In June 2026, Roman Mykolayovych was appointed senior coach of the club’s youth team (U-21).

As a player, Debelko spent three seasons with Kryvbas, making 53 appearances and scoring 11 goals. With the "Red-and-Whites," he won bronze medals in the Ukrainian Premier League (2023/2024 season) and secured a silver-medal finish in the First League (2021/2022 season). His career also includes stints with various Ukrainian and international clubs, such as Stal, Karpaty, and Riga.

Following his work with the youth team, Roman Debelko faces a new challenge: he is joining the coaching staff of the first team. His familiarity with the club’s structure, his experience playing for Kryvbas, and his background in working with young players will be key assets in his new role.

We wish Serhii Popov and Roman Debelko every success in their work, continued professional growth, and many victories with the "Red-and-Whites."

Press Service of FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih