The events in "Sumgayit", which was considered one of the main candidates to qualify for European Cups at the beginning of the season, but has recently withdrawn from the competition, are surprising. It was not unequivocally received when the Serbian head coach of the "City of Youth" representative, Saša Ilić, announced at the press conferences held after the matches with "Karvan-Yevlax" (1:1) and "Shamakhi" (0:1) that they had changed their strategy and would mainly give a chance to academy graduates.
Idman.Biz reports that Ilić's message to the management, citing the failure of the transfers he wanted during the winter break, strengthened the idea that "the bridges were burned" and that separation at the end of the season was inevitable.
It is even claimed that a replacement for the Serbian specialist is being sought. According to reports, the "Sumgayit" management is trying to determine a possible replacement for the legionnaire specialist by contacting some coaches about two months before the end of the season.
Interestingly, Samir Abasov's name is also mentioned among the candidates. According to the allegations, the return of the Sumgayit specialist, who last brought the team to European Cups and has been unemployed for 110 days, to the post of head coach of the "chemists" is being considered.
Abasov commented on the information spread about him to futbolinfo.az as follows: "There is no such thing, it's all false talk. Work in the Premier League again? No, I don't want to. I don't have any intention of working for now."
It should be noted that Samir Abasov was dismissed from the post of head coach of "Neftchi" after the 2:3 defeat to "Imishli" in the XII round of the Misli Premier League. He left "Sumgayit" in October 2024 and went to "Neftchi".