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Arif AsadovAzerbaijani footballer, defender. Played for the Azerbaijani national team.
Date of Birth: 18.08.1970
Country:  Azerbaijan |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Professional Career in the Soviet Union
- Return to Azerbaijan and Stint in Russia
- Back in Azerbaijan and Career Conclusion
- Coaching Career
- Achievements
- - World Youth Champion (U-16): 1987
Early Life and Career
Nazim Suleymanov is an Azerbaijani football defender who was born in Baku, Azerbaijan. He began his playing career at the age of 15 with the youth team of Neftchi Baku. Suleymanov quickly caught the attention of the Soviet Union youth team selectors and participated in major tournaments, winning the World and European Youth Championships.
Professional Career in the Soviet Union
In 1988, Suleymanov made his debut for Neftchi Baku in the Soviet Top League. However, the club was relegated to the Soviet First League the following season, where he played from 1989 to 1991.
Return to Azerbaijan and Stint in Russia
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992, the Azerbaijani Premier League was established, and Suleymanov returned to Neftchi Baku. He played in the top flight of Azerbaijan until 1994 when he made a brief move to Spartak Vladikavkaz in Russia. Suleymanov scored one goal in 20 appearances for Spartak before returning to Neftchi at the end of the season.
In 1998, Suleymanov made a second move to Russia, joining FC Tyumen in the Russian Premier League. The following year, he spent a season in the Russian First Division with FC Anzhi Makhachkala.
Back in Azerbaijan and Career Conclusion
From 1999 onwards, Suleymanov played exclusively in Azerbaijan, representing FC Karabakh Agdam, Neftchi Baku, and Khazar Lankaran. He helped Karabakh secure third place in the 2003/04 season.
In 2005/06, Suleymanov retired as a player and transitioned into coaching. He served as the head coach of Azerbaijan's U-19 national team from 2006 to 2007.
Coaching Career
Suleymanov returned to Neftchi Baku as a youth team coach in 2008/09, where he led the team to victory in the youth championship. In May 2009, he became the assistant coach of Neftchi's senior team under Byukaga Agaev.
In February 2010, Suleymanov was appointed as Neftchi Baku's head coach, leading the team to the Azerbaijani Premier League championship in the 2010/2011 season. However, after unsuccessful results in the Champions League qualification, he left his position as head coach in July 2011.
On November 5 of the same year, Suleymanov returned to his former role as Azerbaijan's U-19 national team head coach.
Achievements
As a player:- Azerbaijani Premier League Champion: 1992, 1995/96 (Neftchi Baku)
- Azerbaijani Premier League Silver Medalist: 1996/97, 1997/98, 2000/01, 2001/02 (Neftchi Baku), 2004/05 (Khazar Lankaran)
- Azerbaijani Premier League Bronze Medalist: 1993, 1994/95 (Neftchi Baku), 2003/04 (FC Karabakh Agdam)
