OMM Newsroom
Shafa vice-president Afran Ismayilov has responded to reports that head coach Zaur Hashimov could be dismissed. The club official said management fully supports the coach, who signed a three-year contract with the club in the summer, and has no plans to part ways with him.
Speaking to Sportinfo.az, Ismayilov said the club had brought Hashimov in because it believed in him, adding that management stood behind the coach. The vice-president said a newly formed team could face difficulties and needed time for players to adapt to one another and for the team to find its style of play.
Commenting on the team’s latest-round defeat to Shamakhi, after Shafa had led 2-0, the club official said the players lost concentration towards the end. He added, however, that they had shown they could play and wanted to win. In Ismayilov’s view, Shafa could have scored more than twice and had several chances.
The vice-president described the defeat as painful and difficult. He said he had met with Hashimov both before the match and on the day he made his comments to show the coach the club’s support. Ismayilov said he believed the team would soon overcome its difficulties, get back on track and string together wins.
