În 2015, Șahtior Donețk a ratat și titlul, precum și Cupa în Ucraina, dar patronul Rinat Ahmetov a găsit de cuviință să-i mulțumească antrenorului român Mircea Lucescu,.
Miliardarul este conștinent că războiul i-a măcinat clubul, echipa fiind nevoită să părăsească arena ”Donbass”, iar perfomanțele erau greu de obținut.
În cel mai recent număr din ”Shakhtar Magazine”, revista oficială a clubului, șeful ”minerilor” îi este recunoscător tehnicianului român că a decis să mai rămână un sezon la Șahtior, acesta fiind ultimul în Ucraina, după cum a anunțat românul.
Dear friends!
For the first time in six years, Shakhtar have not won the league title. For us, the second spot is always a loss. Nevertheless, I am saying a genuine ‘Thank You personally to Mircea Lucescu, the players, the coaching staff, the medical personnel, the club staff and our every fan for their true mettle and will to win that the team have shown this season.
Playing absolutely all the games away, away from our native Donbass Arena, without the support of home stands, is very difficult. In such tough conditions, a decent league performance and advancing to the Champions League knockout stages is the result which is worthy of every respect.
I want to extend my special thanks to the head coach of Shakhtar. At this very difficult time, Mircea Lucescu has remained faithful to the club by deciding to work on with the team next season. I am deeply grateful to him for that.
I am sure that only together we will cope with all the difficulties. Our goals remain lofty and most ambitious.
Sincerely,
Rinat Akhmetov
FC Shakhtar President