Kazakhstan's football community is expressing dissatisfaction with head coach Stanislav Cherchesov, primarily due to his controversial remarks during press conferences rather than the team's performance on the field. Despite the team's struggles, including three consecutive defeats in the League of Nations, the Kazakhstan Football Federation remains supportive of Cherchesov, emphasizing the need for patience as the team develops. Cherchesov's initial appointment was welcomed due to his past successes with other national teams, and although results have not met expectations, he insists that progress is being made. However, incidents involving language misunderstandings at press conferences have sparked public outrage, leading to an official request from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports for the federation to address the coach's comments. Cherchesov has stated his intention to learn Kazakh to better integrate into the culture, but his jokes and comments have drawn criticism from various quarters.
- The Kazakhstan Football Federation, led by President Adilet Barmenkulov, has backed Cherchesov despite the team's lackluster performances, highlighting that the focus is on long-term goals, including preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualification. The federation acknowledges the increased difficulty of their opponents in the League of Nations, which includes teams that have performed well in recent European tournaments. Cherchesov's coaching style, characterized by a mix of humor and directness, has been both a point of contention and a source of entertainment for fans and media alike. As the team navigates through these challenges, the federation remains optimistic about the future under Cherchesov's leadership.