KFF Academy Updates Coaching Staff and Presents New Training Philosophy

During the meeting, key organizational, staffing and strategic changes were announced, aimed at developing the Academy and improving the work of the Federation’s technical structure.

The KFF Academy introduced an updated training philosophy aligned with modern global football trends while taking into account national characteristics. The focus is on developing technical and tactical awareness, building character and mental resilience in young players, and ensuring continuity between age categories.

Following the summer selection stage for players born in 2011, a main squad of 23 players was formed to represent the KFF Academy U15 team in the new season. In addition, an extended list was compiled, including promising players for further monitoring.

New coaching staffs were also introduced. The U16 team (players born in 2010) will be coached by Yerlen Bekmukhaev (UEFA A, currently studying for UEFA Pro), who previously worked with FC Caspiy and the Kairat Academy. Senior coach Yuriy Markhel (UEFA Pro), with experience in the Belarus Academy system and youth national teams, has joined the staff, while Vitaliy Kuvshinov (UEFA B Goalkeeper) has been appointed as goalkeeping coach.

The U15 team (players born in 2011) will be coached by FIFA talent coach Vitaliy Astafyev (UEFA Pro). His assistant will be Evgeniy Kostrub (UEFA A, studying for UEFA Pro), who has experience with the Kazakhstan national team, FC Akhmat and the Kairat Academy. The staff also includes Yesimbek Nurakhmetov, who previously worked at the Academy, and goalkeeping coach Valisher Rashid (UEFA B Goalkeeper).

As part of the staffing changes, Ermek Nurgaliev has left the Academy. The Federation expressed its gratitude to him for his significant contribution to the establishment and development of the KFF Academy training system.

In addition, changes were introduced in the Federation’s technical structure to strengthen coordination between training directions and to implement modern standards of work. Particular emphasis was placed on the creation of a new Scouting and Talent Identification Department, whose tasks will include systematic nationwide scouting, maintaining a national footballer database, supporting player development, and building a network of regional scouts in cooperation with clubs, schools and academies.

The KFF leadership noted that these measures will form the foundation for implementing a comprehensive programme aimed at preparing players of high international level and integrating all Federation structures into a single system, ensuring the sustainable development of youth and grassroots football in Kazakhstan.