Bohdan Boyko: "There is great potential and desire to improve at "Metalist 1925". And we will do it already in the second part of the season"

The assessment of "Metalist 1925" performances in 2025, the team's position in the standings, the team's deserved place, the need for reinforcement, youth development, plans for the second half of the season, and club development from within - all this was discussed in an interview for the club's press service by the president of "Metalist 1925" Bohdan Boyko.

- Mr. Bohdan, the calendar year is over. How was it for "Metalist 1925"?

- It was a challenging but important year for the club. I would say - defining. We made a series of fundamental decisions that directly influenced the further development vector of "Metalist 1925". We started 2025 with new people in managerial positions, and in the summer, new head coaches joined us for the main, women's, and youth teams. Moreover, we reviewed the directions of our transfer policy. Our team is increasingly filled with talented and promising young players. We are constantly working on improving the team, taking into account not only the players' sports performance but also important human qualities - such as respect, honesty, integrity.

In terms of sports, speaking of the first half of the year, we achieved the minimum task - returned to the UPL. It was crucial, it was difficult, and at some point, perhaps, someone could have lost faith that we would succeed. But we did it. And now, as newcomers, we have convincingly started in the UPL, being among the teams competing for top positions. Also, for the first time in the club's history, we managed to reach the quarterfinals of the Ukrainian Cup, opening up additional tournament prospects.

"Metalist 1925" has great potential and a desire to grow. And we will do this in the second half of the season.

I want to separately mention the performances of our other teams. Our women's team won silver in the last season's championship and stopped just a step away from winning the Ukrainian Cup. Already this season, the girls represented the whole of Ukraine admirably in the Champions League, and how they did it, the emotions they gave, surely did not leave anyone indifferent.

The youth team plays an extremely important role in the club's structure, giving our graduates the opportunity to smoothly transition to adult football. The most promising of them are gradually integrating into the team. Also, the youngest players have the opportunity to develop in sports from a preschool age, forming the foundation of the future "Metalist 1925".

In parallel with the sports direction, deeper processes were taking place in our club, which are not always visible from the outside, but they are the ones that shape the club's foundation.

- Can you tell us more about these processes?

- We clearly defined for ourselves that we want to build not just a competitive team but a full-fledged modern football club. That is why throughout the year, we changed the management structure, started building a vertical in all directions - sports, media, commercial, administrative. This is not a quick process, but without it, it is impossible to move forward steadily. And although we are still on the path of construction, I think that certain results of this systematic work are already noticeable.

- If we conclude about the sports component, how do you assess the performance of the first team?

- I believe we could have earned more points. But it is important to understand the context. The team was largely built from scratch - many new players, a new coaching staff, injuries to key players, adaptation of foreign players.

We are in the position we have earned today. At the same time, we have the potential and the desire to improve. And we will do this in the second half of the season.

- How important is the work off the football field for you - personnel, processes, internal structure?

- This is critically important. We pay a lot of attention to the development of the club from within. It is not just about players or coaches but about everyone working in "Metalist 1925".

We invest in personnel, in training, in internal processes. For example, this year, club employees had the opportunity to study specialized English for free. They can also improve their skills through specialized courses in their fields. We want everyone in the club's structure to grow together with "Metalist 1925".

Our club structure is becoming more professional and balanced. People like a player care manager are emerging, who deals with issues of our foreign players, helps them settle in daily life, as it can be challenging for people from abroad to adapt in Ukraine. And this is just one example.

- What can we expect from the club in the near future - especially in winter?

- The team needs reinforcement, and the specialists responsible for this are working on it tirelessly. There are specific positions that need competition. But it is too early to reveal details. As soon as it becomes possible, fans will definitely learn the names of the newcomers.

Our task is to make the team stronger but at the same time not lose the balance within the team and the logic of development.

We are placing a strong emphasis on the development of young players. The academy in Kharkiv is actively developing, a separate unit for girls - "Kharkiv Mallow" has been opened. Academic groups have the opportunity to train, live, and compete in Kyiv. Older players are gradually integrating into the youth team.