Timur Kapadze was appointed the new head coach of Uzbekistan national football team, the Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA) said on Wednesday. The Slovenian Srečko Katanec stepped down from the position he had occupied since 2021 due to health reasons.
The UFA said it had studied several candidates for the role, holding discussions with several local and international coaches. Additionally, recommendations from the coaching council were thoroughly reviewed, the statement said.
With limited time remaining before the decisive matches of the World Cup qualifiers, the UFA proposed Timur Kapadze, head coach of the U-23 Olympic team, as the most suitable candidate.
The UFA underscored Kapadze’s close familiarity with the team and players, his years of experience representing the national squad and his coaching background both as a head coach and assistant coach. He also made history by leading Uzbekistan to its first-ever Olympic qualification.
“Under the current circumstances, the UFA believes that Kapadze’s coaching talent, responsibility, authority among the team and constant pursuit of high goals will bring positive results in the crucial upcoming matches,” the association stated.
