In early May, Dainava parted ways with Belarusian head coach Sergei Kuznetsov. Now officially stepping into the role is experienced tactician Mergen Orazov from Turkmenistan—a coach with a proven track record at both the club and national levels.
Orazov arrives with a UEFA Pro License and more than five years of coaching experience at both club and national levels. He began his career in Ashgabat as an assistant at Altyn Asyr, later taking on head coaching duties at Kopetdag and FC Ahal. Under his leadership, Ahal won its first-ever national championship, along with domestic cup and super cup titles. The team also earned a historic spot in the AFC Champions League. These achievements earned Orazov the title of Turkmenistan’s Coach of the Year in 2022.
His coaching résumé also includes international experience, having completed internships with Spain’s Villarreal academy and the Portuguese national team.
When asked about his football philosophy, Orazov emphasizes structured, intelligent play. He advocates for positional football, controlled ball possession, and smart decision-making based on clear principles.
“I believe in building from the back, controlling tempo, and creating positional advantages across the pitch,” Orazov says. “I want my team to be dominant with the ball but also disciplined and aggressive without it.”
Speaking about Dainava, Orazov sees a team full of potential and ready for tactical evolution.
“This group has strong character and a willingness to grow. With the right structure and mindset, we can raise our standards and compete at a higher level.”
Looking ahead, Orazov plans to build a team that plays with confidence and courage. His style focuses on structured possession, patient attacking buildup, and calculated pressing.
“We’ll create a team that generates chances through collective play and knows how to defend and maintain control. Modern football requires balance and flexibility. Good offense supports defense and vice versa. The key is to control the ball, manage transitions, and protect space behind the back line.”
While results are always important, Orazov believes lasting success comes from a clear game model and quality football. “If the quality is high, the results will follow,” he asserts.
He maintains player motivation through clear goals, open communication, and high training standards. “Every player needs to understand their role. Week by week, we’ll focus on development—leveraging each player’s strengths and placing them in roles that bring the most value to the team. Progress, competition for places, and a strong team culture will keep motivation high.”
Orazov names his biggest career achievements as leading FC Ahal to national titles and managing the Turkmenistan national team. His experience in the AFC Champions League and World Cup qualifiers has helped shape his ability to adapt to high-level demands and diverse match situations.
DFK Dainava have had a poor start to the new A Lyga season, sitting at the bottom of the table with just 4 points from 16 matches and remaining the only winless team across the Baltic top flights. Orazov’s first game in charge will be today when they will host FK Banga Gargždai in the A Lyga match.
Source: https://dfkdainava.com/2025/06/24/dfk-dainava-pristato-naujaji-vyriausiaji-treneri-mergen-orazov/
