Former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has been appointed as the new assistant manager of Ukraine.

The 39-year-old scored 48 goals in 111 international appearances for Ukraine, featuring in the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2012, and he is widely regarded as the country's greatest ever footballer.

Shevchenko will assist manager Mykhaylo Fomenko as the team prepare for Euro 2016, where Ukraine have been drawn alongside Germany, Poland and Northern Ireland in Group C.

"We made our choice in favour of Shevchenko, who will be working with the Ukraine's coaching staff," Fomenko told reporters.

Shevchenko added: "After almost four years on vacation, I am coming back to big football, as a coach. I worked with great coaches like Valery Lobanovskyi, Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and got a huge experience.

"Coaching courses helped me to shape up my ideas and determine my own vision of football. Hopefully this will help me in the future."

The 2004 Ballon d'Or winner turned down the chance to become the national team's head coach in 2012 due to lacking the required qualifications.