Gurbanov now nifty at Neftchi

Traditional giants
The Manchester United FC of Azeri football, Neftchi have been traditional giants in the former Soviet republic. Formed in 1937, they were Azerbaijan's most successful team in the days of the USSR, even finishing third in the top division in 1966. Neftchi players Alekper Mamedov, Yury Kuznecov, Anatoly Banishevsky, Kazbek Tuaev and Anatoly Ponomarev all played for the USSR, and the club have continued to dominate since independence. As president Rovnag Abdullayev put it: "Anything other than first place is a bad result for Neftchi."

Better offer
Last season, they had just such a result as they finished third behind champions FK Baku and FK Karvan Evlakh. To add insult to injury, coach Agasalim Mirjavadov, who had led Neftchi to two titles, moved on to FK Khazar Lenkoran after receiving an offer he could not refuse. Most expected Neftchi to bring in another experienced coach, even a foreigner, to succeed Mirjavadov, but they chose to take a chance on 34-year-old former Neftchi captain Gurbanov, who had just finished his playing career having scored 14 goals in 60 internationals for Azerbaijan.

'Great honour'
Gurbanov had been working as sporting director at FC Inter Baku, but could not resist the lure of Neftchi. "To coach Neftchi is a great honour," he said. "This club is my home and I am sure I can be as useful here as a coach as I was during my playing days." Commenting on what was considered a surprise appointment, club vice-president Ramin Musayev added: "There's nothing sensational about hiring Gurbanov. Here is a young and perceptive trainer who will help Neftchi achieve our main goal - gold medals in the league."

Lean spell
A 6-1 win in his first game against FK Khazar Sumgayit augured well, but the rot quickly set in for Gurbanov, with defeats by Khazar Lenkoran and Inter Baku, and draws with low-ranking opponents. It was not until their seventh match of the campaign, a 4-1 victoroy against FK Gilan, that the club got back on their feet. Last Saturday's 3-1 success against Karvan - who had not dropped a point all season - has further restored fans' faith in Gurbanov. "Coaching this side is much harder than playing for it," he said. "Neftchi will be in the top three this year, but our goal is to win gold." Anything less, of course, would be a bad result. UEFA