Former Tajikistan U20 head coach Oleg Kubarev says he would be open to continuing his career in Kazakhstan if he receives an offer from a local club, KazFootball reports.
The Belarusian coach was asked whether he was more likely to continue his career in Belarus or abroad, with the interviewer noting that Kazakh clubs have increasingly been appointing Belarusian coaches in recent years.
“I would rather not discuss possible options until they develop into concrete agreements. As for Kazakhstan, if I receive an invitation, why not try working in this league?” Kubarev said.
The 60-year-old is already well acquainted with Central Asian football. In December 2022, Kubarev took charge of the Tajikistan U20 national team and prepared the side for the 2023 AFC U20 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan.
Tajikistan collected four points at the tournament, beating Oman 1-0, drawing 0-0 with South Korea and losing 2-0 to Jordan. The team finished third in the group and failed to reach the quarter-finals.
Kubarev maintained his links with Tajik football after leaving the national team. In 2025, while working at Arsenal Dzerzhinsk, the Belarusian club signed two of his former Tajikistan U20 players — midfielders Fatkhullo Olimzoda and Salokhiddin Irgashev.
Olimzoda moved to Belarus after playing for Kazakhstan’s Atyrau. Reports at the time said Kubarev was personally interested in bringing in the midfielder, having worked with him at Tajikistan U20 and being familiar with his abilities. Olimzoda later said he was happy to join Arsenal because he enjoyed working with the Belarusian coach.
Irgashev also played under Kubarev for Tajikistan U20 at the 2023 AFC U20 Asian Cup before signing for the Dzerzhinsk club in the spring of 2025.
The midfielder is now playing in the Tajikistan championship and is regarded as one of the league’s standout players. According to Eurasia Football, Irgashev is highly likely to continue his career abroad this winter.
Kubarev also has first-hand experience of Kazakh football as a player. In 1996, he played for Yelimay Semipalatinsk, although he has never previously worked as a head coach in Kazakhstan.
Kubarev’s most recent job was with Zimbru Chisinau. He took charge of the Moldovan club in the summer of 2025, guided the team to a third-place finish in the league and reached the Moldovan Cup final.
In May 2026, the two sides decided not to extend his contract, and Kubarev has been without a club since.