Engin Firat is one of the main candidates for the head coach position of the Azerbaijan national team

Following the humiliating 0:5 defeat of the Azerbaijan national team to Iceland in the qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup and the resignation of Fernandu Santuş, the name of 55-year-old Engin Firat is being mentioned as the main candidate for the position of head coach of the national team.

According to Idman.biz, citing "Kicker", Firat is considered a favorite among those who will replace the Portuguese coach.

According to the manager of the Turkish specialist, Tolgahan Tuglu, Azerbaijan is really interested in his client.

"I have received many calls from Azerbaijan. I don't know how official they were, but the interest is high. There has been no official offer yet. If an offer comes, then, of course, he will agree. Because Azerbaijan is a brotherly country with a football culture," the manager said.

He also noted Firat's successful activities with Kenya, emphasizing that he is capable of achieving successful results with the Azerbaijani national team.

"He is a coach who can resurrect the dead. Imagine what he can achieve with the Azerbaijani national team," Tuğlu added.

Fırat's main achievements include an eight-match unbeaten streak with Kenya, a victory in the international tournament held in Malawi in 2024, as well as successful results against strong rivals: he has a victory over Qatar, draws with Ivory Coast and Russia. These successes make him one of the main candidates for the coaching position of the Azerbaijan national team.

The Turkish specialist's last job was with the Kenyan national team. He led the national team of this African country from 2021-2024. Before that, he was the head coach of the Moldovan national team (2019-21). In addition, in 2007-08, Fırat led the Iranian national team, and in other years he worked at the club level.

It should be noted that previously, the names of "Zira" coach Rashad Sadigov and Aykhan Abbasov, who temporarily led the team in the game with Ukraine (1:1), were mentioned as candidates for the head coach position of the Azerbaijan national team. In addition, Italian insider Gianluca Di Marzio claims that AFFA is considering the option of Gianni De Biasi returning to the national team.

Idman.biz