Translated with AI
Russian specialist, former long-term coach of the Kyrgyzstan national team Alexander Krestinin has been appointed head coach of the football club "Khujand". In an express interview exclusively for the international news agency "Fergana", Alexander Sergeevich commented on his appointment and shared his plans.
In his interview, the coach noted that he was happy to accept the offer from Khujand.
"People I know well contacted me. The offer was really unexpected. But we discussed all the details and made a decision quickly," Krestinin said.
He also shared his plans and what he expects from his new job.
"Today, I had a meeting with the club's management. I would like to thank them for their trust in our coaching staff. We had a constructive discussion of the club's challenges. Today, the team is in fifth place, and the management is not happy with that. "Khujand" is a club with a long history and ambitions, and great fans. The team has always set the highest goals and is used to being at the very top of the tournament table. And our task is to return the team to the top. We will do everything we can to achieve this. In turn, we have outlined our own requirements: what positions need to be strengthened, both in the material and technical base and in the team's staffing. We have complete mutual understanding. They expressed their support to us, for which we are also grateful to the management," the coach shared.
He also noted that he is well acquainted with Tajik football.
"I know him very well. I have met opponents from Tajikistan many times, both at club level and at the national team level. They have always been fighting teams, well organized, with character. Local teams are famous for their desire not to give in, their great desire to win, their enthusiasm for the game. Proof of this is their successful performance at the Asian Cup and youth tournaments.
Krestinin's last job was with the Kyrgyzstani club Bars, which he took over immediately after the team's creation at the end of 2024, but resigned in June of this year. Before that, the Russian specialist coached the Kyrgyzstan national team for 9 years, as well as Bishkek's Dordoi, Kochkor-Ata's Neftchi, Tashkent's Lokomotiv and Bunyodkor. Krestinin led the Kyrgyzstan national team to the Asian Cup for the first time, where the team reached the playoffs, and led them a second time, after which he was replaced. He also became the champion of Kyrgyzstan five times – with Neftchi and Dordoi.
