The Quest To Rebuild The Azerbaijani National Team

Widely considered one of the nicest men in an often heartless profession, Gurban Gurbanov, a man who once enchanted fans as an elegant maestro with Neftchi Baku, Dynamo Stavropol and Fakel Voronezh, among others, now faces a colossal task of rebuilding the Azerbaijan national team.

Having managed the top dog in Azerbaijan's domestic league--Qarabağ--since 2008, Gurbanov took on a double role, as manager of the Milli, or the Azerbaijan national team, on November 3, 2017. Since then, the team's results have been mixed, with three wins, five draws, and two losses.

The team delivered a pathetic performance last time out, with a dismal display in a draw at home against Malta. 

Gurbanov handled the criticism following the dram with customary grace. Yet as he wrapped up a training session, a bonfire in an adjacent back-garden was spewing out smoke, reflecting the dark clouds around the national team amidst the spluttering form. Gurbanov, his sure-footedness enduring from his memorable playing days, must now glide through the the acrid smoke and deliver the national team with a much-needed breath of fresh air.