Reports indicate that Russian coach Alexander Krestinin will exit his role as head coach of the Kyrgyzstan national football team. The news has circulated through championat.asia, prompting speculation about the team’s leadership future.
Sources close to the situation suggest that Krestinin is preparing to retire from his position. In the mix to take over could be Andrei Kanchelskis, a name that has drawn considerable attention in domestic football circles.
Since taking charge in 2014, Krestinin steered Kyrgyzstan through a notable period. A historic milestone arrived in 2019 when the team secured a ticket to the Asian Cup for the first time in its history. During that campaign, Kyrgyzstan advanced to the round of 16, marking a significant achievement under his guidance.
Krestinin also has a record of success at the club level. While at Dordoi, he led the team to domestic cup glory in 2018. His contributions to Kyrgyz football were further recognized by the conferral of the Danaker Order, Kyrgyzstan’s highest state award, highlighting his role in elevating the sport in the country.
Andrei Kanchelskis, who has been without a current coaching position since 2020, previously led Navbahor Namangan in Uzbekistan for two seasons. In his debut term, Navbahor earned a bronze medal in the Uzbekistan Super League, ending a long wait for a top-tier podium finish, though the club did not clinch the league title. Kanchelskis departed the club in 2020 after salary issues were reported, an event that has colored discussions about his availability and fit for the Kyrgyzstan role.
The national team’s recent schedule included a friendly match against Russia in September, a game in which Kyrgyzstan’s squad, under the leadership of Valery Karpin’s coaching staff, secured a 2–1 victory on the road to the next stage of preparations.
Meanwhile, discussions around the national team’s football leadership continue, with RFU officials addressing comments surrounding an invitation to a prominent foreign coach, ensuring clarity on the federation’s plans and recruitment standards as Kyrgyzstan looks to future fixtures and tournaments.