KIEV — Former Ukraine star striker Andriy Shevchenko has turned down an offer to take over as manager of the national team, Interfax news agency reported Monday. “I consider that taking over the national squad will be a bit too hasty a move for me,” Shevchenko told the Ukraine Football Federation's (FFU) media service. “I hope that the FFU will accept my decision with understanding.” Last week Ukraine football supremo Konkov offered Shevchenko the post, which remains vacant since Oleg Blokhin's departure for Dynamo Kiev in Septenber. The FFU chief said he considered the 36-year-old's youth to be a “positive factor”. — AP
