Sheriff Tiraspol boss joins Ukraine’s army 5 months after defeating Real Madrid

Five months to the day since masterminding a Champions League win over Real Madrid, Sheriff Tiraspol manager Yuriy Vernydub has returned to his native Ukraine and signed up to the territorial army.

Vernydub was born in Zhytomyr, a northern city in Ukraine, and has made the decision to return to his homeland from his work managing the football team in Moldova.

A picture posted on social media showed Vernydub in his camouflaged attire, with two army colleagues, as unrest in the country continues following Russia’s invasion last week.

Vernydub, 56, will join three-weight boxing world champion Vasyl Lomachenko after he revealed himself in full Ukrainian military uniform having joined the army.

As well as Lomachenko and Vernydub, iconic former Ukrainian boxers Wladimir and Vitaly Klitschko have joined the fight, too.

It has been an incredibly busy few months for Vernydub as he and his players gained global notoriety after defeating Spanish giants Real Madrid in Spain in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.