Kurban Berdyev

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.