Kurban Berdyev
Monday, January 3, 2011
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FC Rubin Kazan
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![Kurban Berdyev led Rubin to league titles in 2008 and 2009 Kurban Berdyev led Rubin to league titles in 2008 and 2009](https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/01de-0ea1b20fe132-d1405b4e38e4-1000/format/wide1/kurban_berdyev_led_rubin_to_league_titles_in_2008_and_2009.jpeg?imwidth=158)
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Date of birth: 25 August 1952
Nationality: Russian
Playing career: FC Kolkhozchi Ashkhabad (twice), FC Kairat Almaty (twice), FC SKA Rostov-na-Donu, FC Rostov
Coaching career: FC Khimik Dzhambul/FC Taraz, Gençlerbirliği SK, FC Kairat Almaty, FC Caspiy, FC Nisa Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan, FC Kristall Smolensk, FC Rubin Kazan
• Berdyev played in seven Soviet Supreme League seasons as a defender and midfielder with Russian-based SKA Rostov-na-Donu and Kazakhstan's Kairat in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
• Started his coaching career in Kazakhstan with Khimik, who evolved into Taraz after independence, and took charge of Turkish side Gençlerbirliği in 1993/94.
• Coached the Turkmenistan national team from 1997 to 1999 in tandem with a position at capital side Nisa Ashkhabad.
• Hired to lead Rubin in 2001, his team won the second tier in 2002, finished third in 2003 and then won their first league championship in 2008; Muslim Berdyev marked that achievement by going on pilgrimage to Mecca.
• A very private man, Berdyev – who guided Rubin to a second Premier-Liga title in 2009 – rarely gives interviews.