Sergei Yevgenyevich Aleinikov (; , Syarhey Alyeynikaw; born 7 November 1961) is a Belarusian and Soviet former professional footballer, and currently a coach. He primarily played as a defensive midfielder and was known for his stamina, intelligence, solid technique, tactical sense, and passing ability. He also played in defence as a sweeper or centre-back.
In 2024 he became a sporting director in PFC Lokomotiv PlovdivСергей Алейников е новият спортен директор на Локомотив (Пловдив)
Playing career Aleinikov was born in Minsk, Belarusian SSR. He played for the USSR national football team, making 73 appearances, scoring six goals, from 1984 to 1991, and was in the Soviet squad that made the final of Euro 1988, losing to the Netherlands 0–2. He also played for the CIS in 1992 and earned 4 caps for Belarus after the independence of Belarus, earning his final cap against Luxembourg in a Euro 1996 qualifier in 1994.
He joined Dinamo Minsk in 1981 and won the USSR championship the following season. The midfielder then joined Juventus FC in 1989, and won the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia in 1990. He signed for U.S. Lecce in 1990, and in 1992 went to Japan to play for Gamba Osaka. He finished his career with Swedish side IK Oddevold in 1996.
In November 2003, to celebrate UEFA's Jubilee, he was selected as the Golden Player of Belarus by the Football Federation of Belarus as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years.
Coaching career In the 2007–08 season Aleinikov served as head coach of amateur Promozione team Kras. He coached the side for a second time from summer 2011 until 30 October 2012.
Personal life His son Artur (born 1991), a midfielder, followed his father's footsteps and was part of Novara squad in 2009.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsDinamo Minsk1981Top League140–1401982218–2181983292–2921984313–3131985325–3251986216–2161987282–2821988283–2831989162–162Total22031–22031Juventus1989–90Serie A30380–120503Lecce1990–91Serie A290––2901991–92Serie B302––302Total59200––592Gamba Osaka1993J1 League1502151–22219943260031–357199536841––4091996000000–00Total83146282–9718Oddevold1996Allsvenskan50––50Città di Anagni1997–98Nazionale Dilettanti00––00Corigliano1997–98Nazionale Dilettanti91––91Total406511428212044055
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSoviet Union198460198514119861011987811988152198970199050199181Total736CIS199240Total40Belarus199210199320199410Total40
Honours Dinamo Minsk Soviet Top League: 1982
Juventus Coppa Italia: 1989–90 UEFA Cup: 1989–90
Soviet Union UEFA European Championship runner-up: 1988
Individual Belarusian Footballer of the Year: (3) 1984, 1986, 1988
References
External links UEFA.com - Golden player of Belarus Aleinikov at Juve and Lecce