- Could you start by telling us about your career?
- I am 56 years old and have been active in professional men's football and elite youth football for over 35 years. Throughout my career, I have held various roles, including youth coach, technical coordinator, academy director, goalkeeper coach, scout, and head coach. I have worked at clubs such as Ajax, Ajax Cape Town, and HFC Haarlem.
I have worked with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), serving as an assistant coach for various national youth teams in both countries. Additionally, I participated in developing the curricula for Academy Director and PRO License goalkeeping courses and served as a lead instructor for these programs.
While working as a consultant for the US-based company Double Pass, I collaborated primarily with MLS academies.
The work experience I have gained across such diverse areas has enabled me to develop a comprehensive understanding of various facets of football. I completed my formal education at the Amsterdam Sports University, where I qualified as a physical education teacher and specialized in sports management. My tenure at Ajax—spanning over 23 years in both playing and staff roles—laid the foundation for my professional development.
It gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity to share the knowledge and experience I have acquired over the years with those working in Azerbaijani football.
- What goals and objectives have been set for you by AFFA?
- First, I would like to state that I consider it a great honor to have been appointed by AFFA as a new Technical Director and to have been entrusted with leading this large-scale project aimed at the development of Azerbaijani football.
Our primary goal over the next three years is to ensure the sustainable development of Azerbaijani football, improve the results of the youth national teams, and achieve greater success in their performances.
I would like to express my gratitude to AFFA President Mr. Rovshan Najaf, the members of AFFA Executive Committee, General Secretary Mr. Jahangir Farajullayev, and his deputies for entrusting me with this important role.
I was very pleased to read the AFFA President's views on FIFA's official website regarding the importance of investing in youth development, football academies, and grassroots football. The President noted that we should not focus solely on results but rather approach the development of Azerbaijani football from a broader perspective, while also encouraging fans to support our teams and attend matches at the stadiums.
One of my primary goals is for the boys' youth national teams to compete in League A of UEFA tournaments and become more competitive on the international stage in the near future, following a long hiatus. Our priorities include developing individual development programs for all national team players—both during and outside of training camps—ensuring that both boys' and girls' national teams play an attractive style of football based on a unified philosophy, as well as evaluating academies, establishing a talent identification system, and fostering closer cooperation and efficient working principles among the AFFA departments involved in technical operations.
- Where should one begin to develop football in a country?
- First and foremost, it must be noted that the overall development of football in the country will benefit all professional clubs, academies, AFFA, and stakeholders—and, above all, the players. Naturally, players want to realize their dreams and achieve great success, both in football and in life.
Everything begins with defining clear values, a mission, a vision, and an ambition. These principles must be communicated to all stakeholders in Azerbaijani football. Only then is it possible to shape a football philosophy. This philosophy encompasses more than just playing values, style of play, game principles, and tactical formations; it also includes our overarching approach to how players are trained and guided, the environment created for their development, and the most effective learning methods for Azerbaijani children. This philosophy serves as the starting point for all activities across clubs, football academies, football projects, coach education, the association, and national teams.
The development of Azerbaijani football is not a responsibility that rests solely with AFFA; it is a shared responsibility for everyone across the country. Everyone who desires progress must contribute so that the nation can gradually evolve into a prestigious footballing country—one capable of competing at all levels and a source of pride for both the public and the country's leadership. For this very reason, I plan to dedicate time and effort to establishing close ties with academies and clubs, supporting them, and fostering mutual development.
- What working method will you use to achieve your goals?
- I use the FAD methodology, which has proven its effectiveness, to influence all aspects of the football ecosystem: from street football to grassroots football, elite development to youth academies, competition systems to infrastructure management, coach education to club administration, and talent identification to men’s and women’s national teams. This method is built upon eight key success factors.
The first step is to analyze the current situation and gain a thorough understanding of Azerbaijan football culture, football infrastructure, and AFFA's departments. I was pleased to see that a well-organized and structured management system is already in place at AFFA. One of my primary tasks is to coordinate the work of all departments involved in technical operations, further professionalize their activities, and improve the implementation of their projects.
As I mentioned, I plan to visit the youth academies of the country's professional clubs to strengthen future cooperation. The flow of players to the national teams depends precisely on the training and development processes carried out in those academies. These academies are a vital source of talent for the national teams.
At the same time, we need to further expand the player base. In this regard, grassroots football, school football projects, and elite street football programs are of particular importance. Through these projects, it is possible to identify talented players who currently fall outside the radar of clubs and academies.
Azerbaijan must not lose a single talented player. Therefore, the identification and monitoring of talent must be a key area of development for both academies and the association.
- What will be your main priority in the first few weeks?
- Currently, the main priority for AFFA is the proper selection and appointment of head coaches and technical staff to lead the youth national teams in the upcoming season. To this end, the relevant vacancies have been announced on AFFA's official website. Any coach in the country holding a UEFA A or UEFA PRO coaching license is eligible to apply for these positions.
The path ahead requires patience, dedication, and cooperation. I believe that the human potential, talent, and love for football needed for the significant development of Azerbaijani football are already present. Let us work together to build a future for football that will inspire future generations and be a source of pride for the entire country.
You can go faster alone, but together you can go further.
