If the coach doesn’t jump at a better offer, then it is the clubs’ mad hunt for glory that sees the coaching turnstiles revolve crazily.

But Neftchi coach Yuri Sarkisyan’s 24-year run with the Uzbek outfit provides the glorious exception to the rule, making him the longest serving Asian coach at the controls of one club.

The 63-year-old Uzbek is also the second longest-serving coach for a single club after Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson, having taken over the reins of Neftchi in 1987.

“As a coach my main task is to produce players,” Sarkisyan told www.the-afc.com.

“I played for Neftchi and was sent to Moscow coaching school in 1983. It is only Neftchi who made me what I am today.”

Sarkisyan guided Neftchi to their 500th victory when they defeated Navbahor 4-3 last week. He was in-charge of the team in 700 of their domestic games and 50 continental matches, including the Asian Club Championship, the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup.

Neftchi have won the Uzbekistan League crown five times (1992 to 1995 and 2001) and Uzbekistan Cup twice in 1994 and 1996 under his tutelage before Pakhtakor and later Bunyodkor started dominating the Uzbek football scene.

The coach said: “If we don’t play better in the league, it reflects badly on the national team because these players will represent the country. I consider it as my duty to raise and train Uzbek footballers.”

The Uzbek is currently facing perhaps the biggest challenge of his coaching career though. Neftchi are now 10th in the 14-team Uzbekistan League standings after 18 rounds and Sarkisyan is perturbed by the rapid exodus of players from his side.

“We have a lot of matches ahead but this is the first time in my 24-year coaching career with Neftchi that we have lost so many players. Over the last season we have lost 13 experienced players,” he said.

“We have good talented youngsters but it is too early to expect more from them. I feel they will get some experience this year and will be able to succeed in the following years.”