Former Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko has turned down an offer to take over as manager of the national team, Interfax news agency reported yesterday.

“I consider that taking over the national squad will be a bit too hasty a move for me,” Shevchenko said.

“I hope that the FFU will accept my decision with understanding.

“I’m really grateful to the FFU and our football chief (Anatoly) Konkov for their top-level trust in me which they showed by offering me the post of the national manager.”

Last week Ukraine football chief Konkov offered Shevchenko the post, which remains vacant since Oleg Blokhin’s departure for Dynamo Kiev in September.

“Shevchenko has experience of playing in great clubs such as Dynamo Kiev, Milan and Chelsea under the management of great coaches Valery Lobanovsky, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho,” Konkov said.

“He had an opportunity to adopt their methods and knowledge.”

The FFU chief, who called Shevchenko into his under-21 and later Ukraine’s national squad, said that he considered the 36-year-old’s youth to be a “positive factor”.

“Just remember that unknown young coach Pep Guardiola (Barcelona) has achieved tremendous results in just a few years,” Konkov said.

“I’m confident that Shevchenko is also capable of achieving serious heights as the national team’s manager. He has enough experience and character for it. The federation will provide him with all necessary to help him in his work.”