Coach of team, defeated Lukashenka, dismissed

Yauhen Lebedzeu found himself jobless on the next day his team had defeated the Lukashenka’s ice hockey team.

According to BelTA, an observation council of Metallurg Zhlobin hockey club decided to withdraw before term a contract with main coach Yuhen Lebedzeu, who led the team to bronze medals of the hockey open championship of Belarus.

The club director Aleh Bahahrad doesn’t comment on the motives of the decision, he just says the name of new Metallurg’s coach will be known by the end of April.

Yauhen Lebedzeu promised to comment on the situation after an official decision on retirement issued. “The club observation council had a session and decided to withdraw a contract with me, but I do not have a document explaining the reasons of my retirement. So, I refrain from giving any comments,” the 49-year old specialist said.

The retirement was unexpected – his team has fulfilled its aim, won medals in the Belarusian championship.

Having taken third place in the regular season, Metallurg defeated last year champion Keramin (Minsk) 2:3, 6:4, 3:1, 2:1 in the first-round series. The Zhlobin team lost to Homel in the semi—final 0:1, 0:3, 2:4. Nevertheless, it is the first time in three years of the club existence when Metallurg has reached the third place.

Yauhen Lebedzeu has headed the team since it was created in 2006. He trained Brest, Keramin (Minsk), Homel, Legion (Minsk), Tsivali (Minsk), Belstal (Zhlobin) before. Lebedzeu was also involved in creation of Homel club and was its first coach in 2000.

Last weekend, an amateur team under his guidance defeated the president’s team. Nobody has dared to do this before in Belarus, usually people play at give-away with Lukashenka. Professional skiers are weaker than he at ski tracks, professional hockey players are defeated by him on hockey rinks. As a result, Lebedzeu was fired.