Kurban Bekiyevich Berdyev is a Turkmenfootball manager, and a former Soviet footballer. He holds Russian citizenship. In 2017 he was shown among top 50 managers in the world by fourfourtwo.com, at the 36th place, ahead of Brendan Rodgers.
Career
Playing career
Berdyev grew up with Kolhozçy Aşgabat where he played in cadet and junior teams since 1966. He joined the professional team in 1971.
It was in Rubin Kazan where Berdyev made his name as a coach getting the team promoted to Russian Premier League in 2002, and grabbing the bronze medals there in their debut year. On 18 December 2014, Berdyev was appointed as a manager of FC Rostov. In the end of 2014-15 season, Rostov stayed up in the Russian Football Premier League by winning the relegation play-offs. In the 2015–16 season, Rostov unexpectedly qualified the Champions League spot, taking the 2nd spot in the league. Berdyev resigned from Rostov on 6 August 2016. On 9 September 2016, he returned to FC Rostov to the position of vice-president/coach. On 1 June 2017, he left FC Rostov once more. On 9 June 2017, he returned to FC Rubin Kazan. On 5 June 2019, he left Rubin once again.
Berdyev always carries his pray beads with him. He never appears without them. " I don’t consider it a token or a tradition. It’s just something I need. I just feel that I have to keep them in my hands when I’m watching a game. I don’t feel well without them. There were a couple of times when I accidentally forgot to take them to matches, even though it wasn’t my fault. And I was feeling uncomfortable through the game, as if I was missing something. Thus this is just a need I feel. I think Muslims will understand me." Education – Ashgabat Railroads Vocational School, Turkmen State University, Moscow Higher Coaching School. In the Soviet Army 1979 - 80, first lieutenant. Berdyev is known as a very introverted person. Wife Roza Berdyeva. Berdyev has two sons and a daughter. The eldest son from his first marriage Marat Berdyyev is a British actor, musician and producer. Junior Alaberdy Berdyev - schoolboy, plays football in the "FC Rubin Kazan" youth academy. Daughter Aylar — a student. Kurban Berdyev brother is Batyr Berdyev, a coach of football club Fenix, Ashgabat. Another brother, Murad Berdyev died in 2003. In 2012, he was decorated by the Russian Federation with the Order of Friendship Medal.
