Kurban Berdyev

Kurban Bekiyevich Berdyev (, ; born 25 August 1952) is a Turkmen-Russian football manager, and a former Soviet footballer who is in charge of the Azerbaijani club Turan Tovuz. In 2017 he was included among top 50 managers in the world by fourfourtwo.com, at the 36th place, ahead of Brendan Rodgers.

Career

Playing career Berdyev grew up with Kolhozçy Aşgabat where he played in cadet and junior teams since 1966. He joined the professional team in 1971. Soviet Top League (7 seasons, 155 games, 23 goals) – FC Kairat (1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985), FC SKA Rostov-on-Don (1979, 1980). Highest place- 8th with Kairat (1977, 1984). Soviet First League (7 seasons, 211 games, 32 goals) – Kolhozçy Aşgabat (1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978), FC Kairat (1983), First League Winner with FC Kairat in 1983. Soviet Second League (2 seasons) – Kolhozçy Aşgabat (1975), FC Rostov (1980).

Coaching career It was in Rubin Kazan where Berdyev made his name as a coach getting the team promoted to Russian Premier League in 2002, and grabbing the bronze medals there in their debut year (2003).

All the highest-tier titles of Rubin were won with Berdyev as a manager: these were Russian Premier League titles in 2008 and 2009, Russian Cup in 2011–12 and Russian Super Cup in 2010 and 2012.

Berdyev was fired from Rubin on 20 December 2013 and a year later, on 18 December 2014, was appointed as a manager of FC Rostov. In the end of 2014–15 season, Rostov stayed up in the Russian Premier League by winning the relegation play-offs. In the 2015–16 season, Rostov unexpectedly qualified the Champions League spot, taking the 2nd spot in the league. Berdyev resigned from Rostov on 6 August 2016. On 9 September 2016, he returned to FC Rostov to the position of vice-president/coach. On 1 June 2017, he left FC Rostov once more.

On 9 June 2017, he returned to FC Rubin Kazan. On 5 June 2019, he left Rubin once again.

On 24 August 2021, Berdyev was appointed manager of the Kazakhstan Premier League club FC Kairat. Berdyev left Kairat by mutual consent on 6 June 2022.

On 20 June 2022, Berdyev was hired by Tractor in Iran.

On 25 December 2022, Berdyev was hired by Russian Premier League club Sochi. He was fired by Sochi on 10 April 2023, after just 5 games at the helm (2 wins and 3 losses).

On 9 July 2023, Dynamo Makhachkala announced the appointment of Berdyev as head coach. Berdyev resigned from Dynamo on 1 February 2024, with the club in the first place in the standings.

On 25 June 2024, Berdyev was appointed as head coach of Azerbaijan Premier League club Turan Tovuz.

Managerial statistics

Managerial honours

Nisa Ýokary Liga: 1998–99 Turkmenistan Cup: 1998

Rubin Russian Premier League: 2008, 2009 Russian Cup: 2011–12 Russian Super Cup: 2010, 2012 Russian First Division: 2002

Rostov Russian Premier League runner-up: 2015–16

Kairat Kazakhstan Cup: 2021

Individual Russian Football Union Best Coach: 2009

Highest advances in the continental club competitions Asian Cup Winners' Cup – 2nd round (1998–1999) UEFA Champions League – 3rd place in the Group stage (2009–2010), (2010–2011), (2016–2017); UEFA Europa League – Quarterfinals (2012–2013)

Personal life

Berdyev always carries his pray beads with him. He never appears without them.

Education – Ashgabat Railroads Vocational School (1967–71), Turkmen State University (1971–1975), Moscow Higher Coaching School (1989–1991). In the Soviet Army 1979 – 80, first lieutenant.

Berdyev is known as a very introverted person.

Wife Roza Berdyeva. Berdyev has two sons and a daughter. The eldest son from his first marriage Marat Berdyyev (born 23.09.1975) is a British actor, musician and producer. Junior Alaberdy Berdyev (born 5.8.1996) – schoolboy, plays football in the "FC Rubin Kazan" youth academy. Daughter Aylar — a student. Kurban Berdyev's brother is Batyr Berdyev (born 1956), a coach of football club Fenix, Ashgabat. Another brother, Murad Berdyev (born 1954), died in 2003.

In 2012, he was decorated by the Russian Federation with the Order of Friendship Medal.

He holds Russian citizenship.

Trivia One of the sectors of the Ak Bars Arena in Kazan has been named in honor of Kurban Berdyev. The name was chosen based on a vote by the club's fans.