Yeghishe Melikyan has been appointed as the new head coach (manager) of the Armenian national football team, the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) announced.
The 46-year-old coach’s candidacy was approved today by the members of the FFA Executive Committee. His contract will run through November 2026.
Melikyan, who has been managing Armenian Premier League club FC Pyunik, is taking over from Dutch coach John van’t Schip, who was relieved of his duties earlier in the day. The FFA and van’t Schip mutually agreed to part ways following a series of disappointing results.
The Federation stated: “The FFA expresses its sincere gratitude to Mr. Van’t Schip and his staff for their professionalism, commitment, and the high-level expertise they brought to the team. Although the collaboration was short-term, his work laid a foundation for future progress. The Federation has now decided to pursue a different direction with a locally-based coaching staff for the upcoming year.”
John van’t Schip was appointed on February 17, and during his brief tenure, Armenia played four matches—two official and two friendly—but lost all of them.
In his farewell remarks, van’t Schip said: “I had hoped to continue building with the Armenian national team, but I respect the Federation’s decision to go in a different direction. I’m proud of the work we’ve done in a short time and would like to thank the players, staff, and everyone at the Federation for their trust and collaboration. I wish the team nothing but success moving forward.”
Now, under Melikyan’s leadership, the Armenian national team will begin preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Armenia will face a major test next month, hosting Portugal in Yerevan on September 6, followed by another home match against Ireland on September 9 in Group F of the European qualifiers.
Speaking about his appointment, Yeghishe Melikyan stated: “I am proud to assume the position of head coach of the Armenian national football team. I am aware of the complexity of the moment and the full responsibility, but I am ready to go through this journey with honor. All of my decisions will be made for the benefit of the national team and Armenian football. Right now, it is time to join forces. I call on the entire football community to unite around the national team.”
FFA President Armen Melikbekyan, commenting on Melikyan’s appointment, emphasized the strategic shift: “The Football Federation of Armenia has decided to change the direction of development of the Armenian national team. We are grateful to John van’t Schip for the work he has done. Now, we are entrusting the helm of the national team to an Armenian specialist who knows Armenian football from the inside very well, having traveled a long path—from being a player on the national team to becoming a coach who, in recent years, has twice won the Armenian club championship.”
“We are hopeful that through the cooperation between the FFA staff and Yeghishe Melikyan, and thanks to daily dedicated work, the Armenian national team will be able to achieve good results. I believe that through unity and consolidation, we can take a step forward,” Melikbekyan added.
