The Uzbeks failed to qualify for next year’s global jamboree in South Africa, but the Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF) has nevertheless thrown its support behind Kasimov.

"Kasimov has created a good atmosphere in the team," said UFF President Mirabror Usmanov.

"The entire football community of Uzbekistan is sad because we failed to qualify even for the Asian play-off but Kasimov gave the right direction to the team.

"Kasimov did Uzbekistan proud as a player. He was the real leader. I believe that his vast experience will help us in the future."

"Our national team fought till the last round for a FIFA World Cup berth but unfortunately ended up at the bottom of the table with just one victory, which was not sufficient.

"We think it’s inappropriate to change the coach at this moment and we will have to provide him the right environment to work, which will help us gain success in the future," he added.

Under Kasimov, Uzbekistan will now turn their attention to qualifying for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar.

The Uzbeks are currently second in their group thanks to a 1-0 victory against the UAE.

Their next Asian Cup qualifier is against Malaysia in Tashkent on November 14.

Recently appointed Bunyodkor coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has appointed Kasimov to help him at the country’s leading club.