Ivan Vasilyevich Lyakh (Russian: Иван Васильевич Лях; born 14 January 1960) is a Russian professional football coach and a former player.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ivan Vasilyevich Lyakh |
| Date of birth | 14 January 1960 (age 66) |
| Place of birth | Rodniki, Kagalnitsky District, Rostov Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9½ in) |
| Position | Defender (formerly midfielder) |
Playing Career
A graduate of the Rostov football boarding school (ROSHISP-10) and SDYuShOR No. 8, Lyakh played as a midfielder and later as a defender. He played over 120 matches for FC Rostselmash Rostov-on-Don. His club career included:
- 1978–1980: Spartak Oryol
- 1981: Torpedo Togliatti
- 1981–1983: Tekstilshchik Ivanovo
- 1984–1987: Rostselmash Rostov-on-Don
- 1988: Tekstilshchik Ivanovo
- 1989–1990: Torpedo Taganrog
- 1991: Shakhtyor Shakhty
- 1993: Istochnik Rostov-on-Don
Coaching Career
Lyakh began his coaching career at his final playing club, Istochnik Rostov-on-Don, initially as an assistant (1994–1995) and then as head coach (1996). He later managed the reserve team of Rostselmash-2 (2000) and served as an assistant at Dynamo Stavropol (2004), FC Rostov (2005), and Spartak Nizhny Novgorod (2006).
From 2007 to 2009, he worked at FC Shinnik Yaroslavl, serving as caretaker manager in 2008 and later as head coach from June to September 2009. In 2010, he managed FC Baltika Kaliningrad, where the team recorded 3 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses in 14 First Division matches under his leadership.
In December 2010, he completed a 240-hour training course at the Higher School of Coaches in Moscow and obtained a Pro license. Since 2015, he has worked as a scout/selection coach for FC Rostov.
Personal Life
His younger son, Andrei Lyakh, is also a professional footballer.
