After Postecoglou talks collapse, ex-Tottenham chief rejects Russian coach Shatov for Kazakhstan job

After ending negotiations with Ange Postecoglou, the Kazakhstan Football Federation has removed another candidate from its shortlist for the national team job. Former Russia international Oleg Shatov will not be appointed following opposition from KFF general secretary Scott Munn.

Манн и Постекоглу
Photo AI

According to AmanVIBE, Munn opposed Shatov’s potential appointment. The 35-year-old Russian was subsequently dropped from consideration at an early stage of the selection process.

Kazakhstan began searching for a new head coach after Talgat Baysufinov resigned. The KFF officially announced his departure on 22 June, stating that the 57-year-old had decided to step down and that the federation had accepted his resignation.

Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou emerged as one of the most high-profile candidates for the vacancy. According to an earlier AmanVIBE report, the Australian requested an annual salary of $5 million. The KFF decided against meeting his financial demands, and the negotiations ended without an agreement.

Postecoglou soon found another job. On 3 July, he signed a two-year contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, whose squad is led by Cristiano Ronaldo. His appointment was officially confirmed by the club.

Shatov has limited senior coaching experience. After retiring as a player, he joined Ural Yekaterinburg’s coaching staff and effectively took charge of the team following Yevgeny Averyanov’s departure in November 2024. Shatov left Ural in June 2025 after the club finished fourth in Russia’s second tier and lost the promotion play-off against Akhmat Grozny.

As a player, Shatov earned 28 caps and scored twice for Russia. He appeared at the 2014 World Cup and two European Championships and won three Russian league titles with Zenit St Petersburg.

Munn previously served as chief football officer at Tottenham and held senior positions at City Football Group and Melbourne City. He officially began his duties as KFF general secretary on 13 July 2026.

Читайте также

Alessandro Sarocco: ‘Cannavaro always had the right mentality’

Italian fitness coach Alessandro Sarocco, who has worked with Diego Maradona, spent the season with Kattakurgan and also took charge of the team on...

2030 starts now: Why Tajikistan cannot wait to build their next generation

Tajikistan’s two leading clubs have just endured a bruising week in Asia. For Igor Angelovski, the concern extends beyond club football. Fifteen of the 28...

Potential Kyrgyzstan internationals. Part 1: Germany and Portugal

Kyrgyzstan continue to search for players abroad who could strengthen the national team in the coming years. Eurasia Football begins a series on little-known...