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FC Taraz
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FC Taraz
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FC Taraz (Kazakh: Тараз футбол клубы) is a Kazakhstani professional football club based at the Taraz Central Stadium in Taraz. A leading club in the early years of the Kazakhstan Premier League, they were champions in 1996, and Kazakhstan Cup winners in 2004.

Key Information

History

[edit]

After initially being relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2016 season, Taraz was reinstated on 3 February 2017 after the Football Federation of Kazakhstan ruled that Altai Semey did not meet the required entry requirements for the Premier League.[1]

Names

[edit]
  • 1960 : Founded as Metallist
  • 1967 : Renamed Voskhod
  • 1968 : Renamed Energetik
  • 1971 : Renamed Alatau
  • 1975 : Renamed Khimik
  • 1992 : Renamed Fosfor
  • 1993 : Renamed Taraz

Domestic history

[edit]
Season League Kazakhstan Cup Top goalscorer Manager
Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Name League
1992 1st 5th 26 12 5 9 40 29 29 Runners-up Kazakhstan M.Syzdykov
Kazakhstan A.Litvinenko 		11 Kurban Berdyev
1993 1st 14th 24 16 4 4 51 29 36 Runners-up Kazakhstan Alexander Shmarikov 28 Kurban Berdyev
1994 1st 8th 30 12 7 11 42 34 33 Last 32 Kazakhstan A.Litvinenko 20
1995 1st 2nd 30 20 2 8 61 34 62 Semi-finals Kazakhstan Nurken Mazbaev 19
1996 1st 1st 34 23 7 4 56 14 76 Quarter-finals Kazakhstan G.Kainazarov 12
1997 1st 2nd 26 18 2 6 49 18 56 Last 16 Kazakhstan Nurken Mazbaev 16
1998 1st 10th 26 7 6 13 33 35 27 Last 16 Kazakhstan B.Eirich 9
1999 1st 10th 30 6 5 19 25 64 23 Last 16 Kazakhstan Murat Tleshev 6 Vakhid Masudov
2000 1st 12th 28 7 5 16 22 47 26 Last 16 Kazakhstan B.Kenchimov
Kazakhstan A.Mironov 		3 Vakhid Masudov
2001 1st 15th 32 6 3 23 26 57 21 Last 16 Kazakhstan D.Nazarov / Kazakhstan V.Yakovlev
Kazakhstan T.Sisenov / Kazakhstan V.Valter 		4
2002 2nd 4th Last 32
2003 1st 12th 32 10 4 18 35 45 34 Last 32 Kazakhstan Nazarov 10 Vladimir Gulyamhaydarov
2004 1st 7th 36 16 11 9 35 23 59 Winners Ukraine Oleh Mochulyak 8 Yuri Konkov
2005 1st 11th 30 10 6 14 32 36 36 Semi-finals Kazakhstan Nurken Mazbaev 11 Yuri Konkov
2006 1st 10th 30 9 6 15 32 34 33 Last 16 Turkmenistan Wýaçeslaw Krendelew
Ukraine Oleh Mochulyak 		8 Sergei Tagiyev
2007 1st 16th 30 3 6 21 16 50 15 Last 16 Kazakhstan Aleksey Shapurin 4 Sergei Tagiyev
2008 2nd 2nd 26 19 4 3 61 14 61 First round Vladimir Fomichyov
2009 1st 8th 26 9 6 11 37 36 33 Second round Moldova Sergiu Epureanu 7 Vladimir Fomichyov
2010 1st 9th 32 9 10 13 36 40 37 Quarter-finals Kyrgyzstan Anton Zemlianukhin
Serbia Milan Jovanović 		7 Dmitry Ogai
Igor Ursach
Vait Talgayev
2011 1st 9th 32 10 5 17 30 39 25 Semi-finals Serbia Nemanja Jovanović 7 Vait Talgayev
2012 1st 4th 26 14 4 8 32 30 46 Second round Serbia Miroslav Lečić 7 Ljupko Petrović
2013 1st 10th 32 7 9 16 30 38 21 Runners-up Nigeria Obiora Odita 5 Ljupko Petrović
Nurmat Mirzabayev
Arno Pijpers
2014 1st 10th 32 9 7 16 32 45 25 Quarter-finals Kazakhstan Aleksey Shchetkin
Kazakhstan Murat Tleshev 		7 Arno Pijpers
Evgeny Yarovenko
2015 1st 9th 32 10 8 14 25 33 26 Quarter-finals Ukraine Oleksandr Pyschur 9 Evgeny Yarovenko
2016 1st 11th 32 10 5 17 33 42 35 Last 16 Senegal Malick Mané 13 Nurmat Mirzabayev
Yuriy Maksymov
2017 1st 11th 33 8 8 17 29 50 26 Last 16 Kazakhstan Baktiyar Zaynutdinov 7 Vait Talgayev
2018 2nd 2nd 33 19 10 4 61 27 67 Last 16
2019 1st 10th 33 7 8 18 28 60 29 Quarterfinal Togo Serge Nyuiadzi
Georgia (country) Elguja Lobjanidze 		8 Nurken Mazbaev
2020 1st 8th 20 5 8 7 19 23 23 - Guinea-Bissau Toni Silva 4 Vladimir Nikitenko
2021 1st 10th 26 7 8 11 27 34 29 Quarterfinal Portugal Pedro Eugénio 7 Vardan Minasyan
2022 1st 12th 26 6 10 10 27 29 28 Semifinal Kazakhstan Abylayhan Zhumabek 8 Nurken Mazbayev

Continental history

[edit]
Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
1997–98 Asian Cup Winners' Cup First round Bye
Second round Turkmenistan Nisa Aşgabat 2–2 0–2 2–4

Honours

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]
As of 10 August 2025[2]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  KAZ Erkebulan Rakhmetulla
2 MF  KAZ Azamat Erkinbek
3 DF  KAZ Ertore Zhanybekuly
4 DF  KAZ Madiyar Nuraly
5 MF  KAZ Erasyl Keulimzhay
6 MF  KAZ Dias Lesbek
7 MF  KAZ Merey Zhambyl
8 FW  KAZ Muslim Zhumat
9 FW  KAZ Ulugbek Khaytmuratov
11 MF  KAZ Olzhas Adil
12 MF  KAZ Zhandos Umirzakov
17 FW  KAZ Abzal Mukanbetzhanov
20 FW  KAZ Nuraydar Askerbek
21 FW  KAZ Yerkebulan Toybekov
22 DF  KAZ Miras Zhaksymbetov
23 DF  KAZ Azamat Erden
No. Pos. Nation Player
27 GK  KAZ Stanislav Samoylov
30 DF  KAZ Maksat Amirkhanov
31 MF  KAZ Shanzar Kemelbek
33 DF  KAZ Zhalgas Zhaksylykov
47 MF  KAZ David Dertsap
50 DF  KAZ Tair Nurseitov
70 FW  KAZ Ersultan Bayten
71 MF  KAZ Dias Andyrmash
74 GK  KAZ Madiyar Mergenbaev
77 FW  KAZ Alisher Suley
79 MF  KAZ Daulet Musretbek
82 DF  KAZ Adilet Omey
91 GK  KAZ Zhandar Zhangaliev
95 GK  KAZ Sanzhar Rakhmatilya
99 MF  KAZ Azizzhon Berdiev

Managers

[edit]
[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

FC Taraz

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from Grokipedia
FC Taraz is a professional football club based in Taraz, Kazakhstan, that competes in the Pervaya Liga, the second tier of Kazakh football. Founded on September 16, 1960, the club plays its home matches at the Central Stadium, which has a capacity of 12,525 spectators. The club has a storied history in Kazakh football, emerging as a prominent team in the early years of the Kazakhstan Premier League following the country's independence. It achieved its greatest success by winning the Kazakh Premier League championship in 1996 and the Kazakhstan Cup in 2004. These accomplishments highlight FC Taraz's role in the development of domestic football, with the club also contributing significantly through its youth academy, which has produced numerous players for the Kazakhstan national team. In recent years, FC Taraz has experienced fluctuations between the top and second divisions, including relegations in seasons such as 2000–01 and 2016. As of the 2025 season, the club maintains a of 30 players and holds an 8th-place position in the Pervaya Liga after 26 matches, with a record of 10 wins, 5 draws, and 11 losses, reflecting an average performance in the league. The team's is estimated at €50,000, underscoring its status as a mid-tier club in the Kazakh football landscape.

Club information

Overview

FC Taraz is a professional football club based in , , founded on September 16, 1960, during the Soviet era as a regional team participating in the lower divisions of the Soviet football system. Originally established to represent the city in domestic competitions, the club has evolved into a key fixture in Kazakhstani football, contributing to the development of local talent and community engagement in the Zhambyl Region. As of the 2025 season, FC Taraz competes in the Kazakhstan First Division (Pervaya Liga), the country's second-tier league, where it currently holds 8th place out of 14 teams after 26 matches, with a record of 10 wins, 5 draws, and 11 losses. The club was relegated from the following the 2021/22 season, after finishing 12th, and has since focused on rebuilding in the lower division with an eye toward promotion back to the top flight. Taraz, the club's home city, is a historic center in southern with an estimated population of approximately 377,000 residents as of 2025, providing a dedicated fan base that supports the team through matches at the Central Stadium. FC Taraz's traditional kit colors are blue and white, reflecting regional identity, and its official website is fctaraz.kz, where supporters can access updates on matches and club activities.

Stadium

The Central Stadium in , , serves as the primary home venue for FC Taraz, located at Abaya Street 113 in the city center. With a of 12,527, it accommodates all of the club's domestic league and cup matches. Constructed in 1976, the stadium features a natural grass playing surface measuring 106 meters in length by 68 meters in width, meeting standard international football dimensions. It lacks and a around the pitch, focusing primarily on football-specific facilities. The venue has undergone periodic upgrades to comply with league standards, including structural improvements in the post-Soviet era to enhance spectator safety and comfort. As of late 2025, plans for a major reconstruction to align with Category 3 requirements are in progress, aimed at modernizing infrastructure such as lighting and seating for potential higher-tier competitions. The stadium plays a central role in the local community, hosting not only FC Taraz's First Division fixtures but also youth tournaments and regional events that foster football development in southern Kazakhstan. Its significance extends beyond matches, symbolizing the city's sporting heritage since the club's founding. Historical attendance data indicates modest crowds, with averages around 4,600 during the team's seasons in the early 2020s, though figures have varied with league status.

History

Foundation and name changes

FC Taraz was established in 1960 as Metallist Taraz, operating within the Soviet Union's football structures as part of the regional sports system in the Kazakh SSR. The club's initial name, Metallist, reflected the industrial focus of the region, which included metallurgical activities during the Soviet era. The club underwent several name changes over the decades, often aligned with local industries or sponsorships. In 1967, it became Voskhod Taraz, possibly evoking themes of progress or dawn in line with Soviet ideological motifs. This was short-lived, as it was renamed Energetik Taraz in 1968, tying into the region's energy sector and power generation facilities. By 1971, the name shifted to Alatau Taraz, referencing the nearby and emphasizing regional identity. In 1975, it adopted Khimik Taraz (meaning "Chemist"), sponsored by and associated with the local , including production plants in the Jambyl (now ) area. The name Khimik persisted until 1992, when the club briefly became Fosfor Taraz, directly referencing the phosphorus-based chemical output of facilities like Kazphosphate in , a key Soviet-era industrial hub. In 1993, following Kazakhstan's independence, the club settled on its current name, FC Taraz, to align with and the city's renaming from Dzhambul to . During the Soviet period, the club competed primarily in regional leagues under the Football Federation of the Kazakh SSR, such as the Class B and later Second League tournaments. For instance, as Khimik Dzhambul in the 1980s, it participated in the Kazakhstan zone of the Soviet Second League, achieving competitive finishes like second place in 1986 with 38 points from 28 matches. These regional competitions provided the foundation for the club's development amid limited national exposure for Kazakh teams in the broader Soviet system. The transition to post-independence football began in , when, as Fosfor Dzhambul, the club entered the inaugural , finishing fifth overall after placing second in the preliminary group stage with 27 points from 20 matches (29 points from 26 matches total). By 1993, under the name, it continued in the restructured domestic leagues, marking the shift from Soviet regional play to independent national competitions.

Domestic league performance

FC Taraz entered the upon the , competing in the inaugural 1992 season and establishing itself as a competitive force in the early years of independent Kazakh football. The club achieved its first and only league title in the 1995–96 season, finishing atop the standings with 76 points from 34 matches, including 23 wins, 7 draws, and 4 losses, while scoring 56 goals and conceding just 14, showcasing a dominant defensive record that was pivotal to their success. This championship campaign highlighted Taraz's early prowess, with consistent top-tier finishes, including runner-up positions in 1994–95 and 1996–97. Following their peak in the late , Taraz experienced a period of stability in the mid-2000s, securing top-half finishes in several seasons between 2000 and 2010, such as 7th place in 2003–04 with 59 points from 36 games and 5th in 2011–12 with 46 points from 26 matches, reflecting a solid mid-table presence amid varying league formats. However, inconsistent results led to challenges, culminating in relegation at the end of the 2016 season after losing 0–3 to Altai Semey in the promotion-relegation play-off, having accumulated 35 points and placing 11th in the combined standings. Taraz was reinstated to the for the 2017 season on February 3, after the Football Federation of Kazakhstan disqualified Altai Semey for failing to meet entry requirements, allowing Taraz to replace them despite their prior relegation. In their return campaign, the club finished 11th with 26 points from 33 matches (8 wins, 8 draws, 17 losses), narrowly avoiding further demotion. The team maintained top-flight status through 2022, with mid-table results like 9th in 2019–20 (23 points from 20 games) and 10th in 2020–21 (29 points from 26 games), before finishing 12th in 2021–22 and dropping to the First Division (Pervaya Liga) for 2023. Following the adoption of calendar-year seasons in , in the second tier, struggled initially, placing 12th in 2023 with 31 points from 28 matches, but improved to 8th in 2024 (41 points from 28 games) and remained in contention for promotion in 2025, sitting 8th after 26 matches with 10 wins, 5 draws, 11 losses, and 35 points as of November 2025. Overall, has competed in over 25 seasons in the since 1992, with win percentages trending around 30–35% in top-flight campaigns, underscoring a history of resilience despite frequent promotion battles.

Cup and continental competitions

FC Taraz has participated in the Kazakhstan Cup since its inception as a national competition in 1992, reaching the final on four occasions and securing one victory. In the 1992 final, Taraz, then known as Fosfor Jambul, lost 1–5 to at the Central Stadium in . The following year, in 1993, they were defeated 2–4 by Dostyk Almaty in the final. Taraz achieved their sole cup triumph in 2004, defeating Kairat 1–0 in the final on November 11 at Taraz Central Stadium, with the decisive goal scored in the first half. They returned to the final in 2013 but fell 0–1 to Shakhter Karagandy, with Sergei Khizhnichenko scoring the winner in . Beyond finals, has made several deep runs in the Kazakhstan Cup, including semifinals in 1995, 2005, 2011, and 2022. In 2005, they advanced to the semifinals but were eliminated after a competitive campaign following their previous year's success. Quarterfinal appearances occurred in 1997–98, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2021, demonstrating consistent knockout competitiveness despite varying league form. The club has not participated in the , as they never simultaneously held both the league title and cup in a qualifying manner. Taraz's continental debut came in the 1994–95 , where they qualified as runners-up in the 1993 domestic cup. In the preliminary round, they dominated Alay Osh with an 8–1 aggregate victory (8–1 home, though the away leg was neutral in Dzhambul). Progressing to the second round (), Taraz faced Jonoob Ahvaz of , losing 0–1 away before winning 1–0 at home, only to fall 4–5 on penalties. Their most notable international campaign followed their 1996 domestic league title, entering the 1997–98 Asian Club Championship with a first-round bye. In the intermediate round (Central Asia), Taraz met Nisa Aşgabat of Turkmenistan, drawing 2–2 at home on September 19 before a 0–2 away defeat on September 26, exiting on a 2–4 aggregate. Despite the 1996 title providing qualification, no further advancements occurred in subsequent AFC attempts, and the 2004 cup win did not yield continental entry due to the discontinuation of the Asian Cup Winners' Cup after 2002. Up to 2025, Taraz's overall cup record stands at one title, three runner-up finishes, four semifinals, and multiple quarterfinals in domestic play, with two early exits in continental competitions.

Honours and records

Major honours

FC Taraz has achieved limited success in domestic competitions, securing one title and one Kazakhstan Cup. These victories represent the club's peak accomplishments in post-independence Kazakh football, with no continental trophies won. The 1996 league triumph marked Taraz as early frontrunners in the nascent , while the 2004 cup win provided a boost amid inconsistent league performances. Domestic honours
  • Kazakhstan Premier League: 1 title
    1996 – Taraz clinched the inaugural-era championship with a record of 23 wins, 7 draws, and 4 losses, amassing 76 points and finishing two points ahead of Irtysh Pavlodar; this success qualified the club for the 1997–98 Asian Club Championship, where they reached the second round before elimination by Nisa Aşgabat on a 2–4 aggregate score.
  • Kazakhstan Cup: 1 title
    2004 – Taraz defeated Kairat Almaty 1–0 in the final held at Central Stadium, Taraz.
Continental honours
None. Taraz's best performance in Asian competitions came in the 1997–98 Asian Club Championship, reaching the second round after a first-round bye, where they were eliminated by Nisa Aşgabat on a 2–4 aggregate score. These campaigns underscored Taraz's challenges on the continental stage despite domestic qualifications.

Statistical records

FC Taraz recorded their highest number of league wins in a single season during the 1996 campaign, achieving 23 victories in 34 matches while scoring 56 goals and conceding 14. The club's biggest league victory came in a 9–0 win over Munayshi Aktau on 22 August 1995. Their heaviest league defeat occurred against FC Astana-1964 on 20 August 1999, by a score of 0–7. Leading goalscorers in recent seasons include Sanzhar Kemelbek with 8 goals across 40 appearances (as of 2025), followed by Muslim Zhumat (6 goals in 46 matches), Erkebulan Toybekov (8 goals in 40 matches), and Abzal Mukanbetzhanov (5 goals in 43 matches). In terms of appearances, Erasyl Keulimzhay leads with 52 matches, ahead of Dias Lesbek (48 matches) and Muslim Zhumat (46 matches).
CategoryPlayerStatistic
Most AppearancesErasyl Keulimzhay52 matches
Dias Lesbek48 matches
Muslim Zhumat46 matches
Top GoalscorersSanzhar Kemelbek8 goals (as of 2025)
Muslim Zhumat6 goals
Erkebulan Toybekov8 goals
Abzal Mukanbetzhanov5 goals
Average attendance has shown a decline following the club's relegation from the , dropping to around 4,662 per match in the 2022 season. In head-to-head matchups against major rivals, FC Taraz has struggled, recording 5 wins in 28 encounters with (where secured 20 victories) and 5 wins in 32 games against Irtysh Pavlodar (with Irtysh claiming 15 wins and 12 draws). As of November 2025, in the 2025 Pervaya Liga season, FC Taraz is in 8th place after 26 matches, with 43 goals scored and 38 conceded (10 wins, 5 draws, 11 losses), including standout performances from top scorer Sanzhar Kemelbek (8 goals), Muslim Zhumat (6 goals), and Abzal Mukanbetzhanov (5 goals).

Players

Current squad

As of November 2025, FC Taraz's squad comprises 30 players, all of Kazakh nationality, reflecting the club's emphasis on domestic talent development in the Pervaya Liga. The roster features a youthful profile with an average age of 22.5 years, bolstered by experienced defenders like 30-year-old Madiyar Nuraly. Most players are contracted through December 31, 2025, under Aziz Anarmetov, who took charge on July 29, 2025. The squad is structured to provide depth across positions, with a focus on versatile midfielders and wingers supporting a central striking line. Goalkeepers are led by 23-year-old Erkebulan Rakhmetulla as the primary option. In defense, centre-backs Madiyar Nuraly and Zhalgas Zhaksylykov form the core, flanked by full-backs such as Maksat Amirkhanov and Zhandos Umirzakov. Midfield duties are handled by defensive anchors like Azamat Erkinbek and attacking contributors including Sanzhar Kemelbek and Dias Lesbek. Up front, left wingers Muslim Zhumat and Alisher Suley provide width, while Abzal Mukanbetzhanov anchors the forward line.
PositionNo.PlayerAgeContract End
1Erkebulan Rakhmetulla2331/12/2025
27Stanislav Samoylov2731/12/2025
74Madiyar Mergenbaev2131/12/2025
95Sanzhar Rakhmatilya18-
Defender4Madiyar Nuraly3031/12/2025
Defender33Zhalgas Zhaksylykov2431/12/2025
Defender50Tair Nurseitov2531/12/2025
Defender82Adilet Omey1931/12/2025
Defender12Zhandos Umirzakov2131/12/2025
Defender22Miras Zhaksymbetov2131/12/2025
Defender30Maksat Amirkhanov3331/12/2025
Defender23Azamat Erden1931/12/2025
2Azamat Erkinbek2331/12/2025
5Erasyl Keulimzhay2331/12/2025
31Sanzhar Kemelbek1931/12/2025
6Dias Lesbek2131/12/2025
11Olzhas Adil2231/12/2025
71Dias Andyrmash2431/12/2025
8Muslim Zhumat2131/12/2025
Forward9Ulugbek Khaytmuratov2431/12/2025
Forward77Alisher Suley3031/12/2025
Forward17Abzal Mukanbetzhanov2231/12/2025
Forward21Erkebulan Toybekov2331/12/2025
(Note: Table includes primary squad members; full roster of 30 includes additional players like 18-year-old Daulet Musretbek.) In the Pervaya Liga season, through 26 matches, the has shown balanced contributions, with Sanzhar Kemelbek leading scorers with 8 goals, followed by left winger Muslim Zhumat with 6 goals and 26 appearances as the most utilized player. Alisher Suley and Abzal Mukanbetzhanov each netted 5 goals, providing key attacking depth. No major injuries have been reported, though early-season transfers included the departure of centre-back Asylbek to Kyzylzhar SK on a free transfer in February .

Notable former players

FC Taraz has produced several players who gained recognition through their performances with the club, contributions to national team successes, and subsequent careers abroad or in higher-profile domestic roles. Gani Kainazarov began his professional career as a forward with FC Taraz before moving to , where he continued to develop as a key attacking player. He earned caps for the national team during his time in the domestic league. After retiring from playing, Kainazarov transitioned into football administration, serving as for FC Taraz from 2010 to 2011 and later becoming the director of the Kazakhstan Football Federation's National Teams Department in December 2024. Yerkebulan Seydakhmet, a versatile winger born locally in , joined FC Taraz's senior squad in 2017, making his debut that April against and quickly establishing himself with his pace and goal-scoring ability. In 2018, he secured an international transfer to side , marking a significant step in his career. Seydakhmet later played for (2019–2021), (2022–2023), and joined in 2024, while accumulating multiple appearances for the national team, including in qualifiers. Timur Bayzhanov, a tall centre-forward known for his physical presence and finishing, featured prominently for FC Taraz during the 2017 season in the , appearing in 12 matches and contributing goals in cup competitions. He debuted for the national team in 2013 with one cap in a friendly match and maintained a career across Kazakh clubs like , , and FC Akzhayik before joining FC Aksu, where he continued playing into 2025. Bayzhanov's tenure at Taraz highlighted his role in the club's mid-table stability during a transitional period. Bauyrzhan Baytana, an attacking with strong vision and set-piece expertise, first played for FC Taraz in as a youth product before returning for a more extended stint from 2020 to 2022, logging over 50 appearances and aiding the team's efforts in both league and cup campaigns. Baytana earned several caps for the Kazakhstan national team, including in qualifiers. After leaving Taraz, he moved to in 2022 and joined FC Kaspiy Aktau in 2024, where he remained active in the as of 2025. Sigourney Bandjar, a Dutch-Surinamese defender who brought European experience to the squad, signed with FC Taraz in February 2014 and played the full 2014 season, providing defensive solidity in 25 appearances during the club's push for continental qualification. Prior to Taraz, Bandjar had stints in the Dutch with . After departing at the end of 2014, he returned to the for lower-tier clubs like RKSV Halsteren before retiring around 2016.

Management

Current staff

As of November 2025, FC Taraz's coaching team is led by Aziz Anarmetov, a 43-year-old Kazakhstani former who played professionally for clubs including FC Okzhetpes and Lashyn Karatau before transitioning to coaching roles with Taraz's (Taraz-M). Anarmetov was appointed on July 29, 2025, with his contract running until December 31, 2025, following the departure of previous manager Nurmat Mirzabaev. Under Anarmetov's leadership, the team has focused on defensive stability, contributing to a mid-table position (8th out of 14) in the Pervaya Liga during the latter half of the 2025 season. The coaching staff includes goalkeeping coach Askar Tusipbekov, a 40-year-old Kazakhstani specialist appointed on January 1, 2025, whose contract also expires on December 31, 2025; Tusipbekov has emphasized technical drills for the squad's keepers throughout the year. No dedicated assistant coaches are currently listed in official records, though interim arrangements from earlier in the season involved figures like Nurken Mazbaev, who served as from January 19 to May 26, 2025, before moving to another role. In technical and support roles, former long-serving manager Nurmat Mirzabaev, aged 52 and a Kazakhstani ex-defender who played 16 matches for the national team between 2001 and 2002 while representing clubs like , was reassigned as base camp coordinator on July 29, 2025. Mirzabaev, who had previously managed from October 2022 until his mid-2025 interim stint ended, now oversees training facilities and youth integration. Additionally, Yuriy Svirkov, a 57-year-old Belarusian, serves as head of the soccer school since January 19, 2025, coordinating youth development programs. No specific 2025 hires for scouts or fitness coordinators are documented in available records.

Managerial history

The managerial history of FC Taraz reflects the club's evolution from a Soviet-era team to a competitor in independent Kazakhstan's professional leagues, marked by a mix of local talents and international hires who navigated promotions, relegations, and occasional silverware. In the early Soviet period, coaches like Petr Zenkin laid foundational structures, managing the team from 1963 to 1966 in regional competitions, while held the longest early tenure from 1973 to 1979, emphasizing youth development amid limited resources. Kurban Berdyev, a notable early figure, led FC Taraz from 1986 to 1989 during the Soviet Second League, instilling defensive discipline that carried into the post-independence era. Vait Talgaev managed from 1990 to 1992 to stabilize the squad amid Kazakhstan's football reorganization. The transition to the brought title-winning success under Vait Talgaev, who managed in multiple stints including 1996-1997, guiding the club to its sole league championship in 1996 after runner-up finishes in 1995 and 1997. Vakhid Masudov followed from August 1999 to May 2000, achieving a third-place league finish and contributing to the club's competitive resurgence in the late . Foreign influences grew prominent, with Tajik-Kazakh coach Gulyamhaydarov taking over in 2003 for a transitional season, followed by Yuri Konkov from 2004 to 2005, under whom Taraz secured its only title in 2004. Other impactful foreigners included Serbian Radmilo Azanjac's brief 2013 spell amid mid-table struggles and Dutchman Arno Pijpers from 2013 to 2014, who focused on tactical modernization. Recent years have seen frequent transitions, particularly after the 2016 relegation from the under Ukrainian Yuriy Maksimov, who managed from May to December 2016. Vait Talgaev returned for 2017-2018 to oversee promotion efforts back to the top flight, though stability proved elusive with multiple short tenures. Serbian Ljubomir Petrovic's 2012-2013 stint stands out for high performance metrics, averaging 1.68 points per game. Kazakh coaches have dominated lately, with Nurmat Mirzabaev holding the longest recent tenure from October 2022 to January 2025 and again from May to July 2025, navigating relegations and First Division challenges; he was succeeded by Aziz Anarmetov in July 2025.
ManagerTenureNationalityKey Achievements
Petr Zenkin1963–1966Russian (USSR)Built early competitive foundation
Evgeniy Kuznetsov1973–1979Kazakh (USSR)Longest Soviet-era tenure (2,371 days)
Kurban Berdyev1986–1989Turkmen (USSR)Soviet Second League stability
Vait Talgaev1990–1992KazakhPost- transition
Vyacheslav Khvan1993; 1999KazakhEarly independence adaptation
Vait Talgaev1996–1997KazakhKazakhstan champions (1996)
Vakhid Masudov1999–2000Kazakh3rd place in (2000)
Vladimir Gulyamhaydarov2003Tajik-KazakhMid-table consolidation
Yuri Konkov2004–2005KazakhKazakhstan Cup winners (2004)
Vladimir Fomichev2008–2009KazakhPromotion push preparation
Ljubomir Petrovic2012–2013Serbian1.68 points per game average
Arno Pijpers2013–2014DutchTactical reforms
Evgeniy Yarovenko2014–2015UkrainianConsistent mid-table finishes
Yuriy Maksimov2016UkrainianRelegation from
Vait Talgaev2017–2018KazakhReturn to top flight efforts
Vakhid Masudov2019KazakhFirst Division adaptation
Vardan Minasyan2021ArmenianBrief stabilization
Nurmat Mirzabaev2022–2025 (multiple stints)KazakhLongest recent tenure; post-relegation management
Aziz Anarmetov2025–presentKazakhOngoing First Division leadership
Table compiled from historical records; win rates unavailable for most tenures due to incomplete archival data.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.com/fc-taraz/startseite/verein/22994
  2. https://qjl.kz/en/clubs/taraz
  3. https://www.transfermarkt.us/fk-taraz/erfolge/verein/22994
  4. https://footystats.org/clubs/fk-taraz-6847
  5. https://www.transfermarkt.com/fc-taraz/platzierungen/verein/22994
  6. https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/taraz-population
  7. https://www.footballkitarchive.com/fc-taraz-2025-home-kit/376379/
  8. https://www.transfermarkt.us/stadion/stadion/verein/22994
  9. https://en.soccerwiki.org/stadium.php?stadiumdid=2186
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_AggRngXuw
  11. https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-liga/besucherzahlen/wettbewerb/KAS1/saison_id/2021
  12. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kaz-names.html
  13. https://www.kpp.kz/en/about
  14. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kaz86.html
  15. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kaz78.html
  16. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kaz92.html
  17. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kaz93.html
  18. https://betsapi.com/t/14899/FK-Taraz
  19. https://ke.soccerway.com/kazakhstan/premier-league-2016/
  20. https://wildstat.com/p/5014/club/KAZ_Taraz_Jambul
  21. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kazcuphist.html
  22. https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/020f-0e87631fe92c-ed42c99deb3a-1000--shakhter-claim-first-kazakh-cup/
  23. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/ascup95.html
  24. https://wildstat.com/p/1/ch/all/club1/KAZ_Taraz_Jambul/ydate/1994
  25. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/ascup98.html
  26. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kaz96.html
  27. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kazcup04.html
  28. https://www.transfermarkt.us/fk-taraz/rekordspiele/verein/22994
  29. https://www.transfermarkt.com/fk-taraz/leistungsdaten/verein/22994
  30. https://m.aiscore.com/head-to-head/soccer-fc-astana-vs-fk-taraz
  31. https://www.fctables.com/h2h/irtysh-pavlodar/taraz/
  32. https://www.transfermarkt.com/pervaya-liga/tabelle/wettbewerb/KAS2/saison_id/2024
  33. https://www.transfermarkt.com/fc-taraz/kader/verein/22994/saison_id/2024
  34. https://www.worldfootball.net/team_performance/fk-taraz/kaz-pervaya-liga-2025/nach-toren/
  35. https://tribuna.com/en/clubs/taraz/transfers/
  36. https://kff.kz/en/news/26382
  37. https://www.transfermarkt.us/erkebulan-seydakhmet/profil/spieler/468873
  38. https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/yerkebulan-seydakhmet/920992
  39. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/51107/Timur_Bayzhanov.html
  40. https://www.transfermarkt.us/bauyrzhan-baytana/profil/spieler/236217
  41. https://www.transfermarkt.us/fk-taraz/mitarbeiter/verein/22994
  42. https://www.transfermarkt.us/nurken-mazbaev/profil/trainer/65807
  43. https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=24341
  44. https://www.transfermarkt.us/nurmat-mirzabaev/profil/trainer/28868
  45. https://www.transfermarkt.com/fk-taraz/mitarbeiterhistorie/verein/22994
  46. https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/te19124/fk-taraz/all-managers/
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