Mergen Orazov

Mergen Orazov (Мерген Оразов) is a Turkmenistani football manager who manages the Turkmenistan national team.

Early years
Orazov was born in Bekrewe, now part of Ashgabat. Orazov began playing football at an early age and at seven years of age, he was enrolled in the Ak Guş football team. At 16, he joined the youth team of Ashgabat's FC Nisa. Soon he began to be involved in the game and for the main team of the club. After graduating from high school, however, he enrolled at the Pennsylvania State University and went to the United States.

Playing career
In 2005, Orazow joined Penn State Nittany Lions in the United States.

Futsal playing career
Upon his return to Turkmenistan, Orazow took up professional futsal. As a member of the club Arvana Ashgabat he became the champion of Turkmenistan five times.

International career
Five times he played for the Turkmenistan national futsal team in the final tournaments of the AFC Futsal Championship.

Futsal managerial career
At the end of his professional career as a futsal player, he twice led the futsal club Kopetdag to the title of Turkmenistan's champion as head coach. In 2020, he was named the best futsal coach in Turkmenistan.

Soccer managerial career
In 2021, he was appointed manager of Ahal, helping them win the league, their first league title. Ahal also won the Turkmenistan Cup and the Football Federation of Turkmenistan Cup. He was named the best coach of Turkmenistan in 2022.

In 2023, he was appointed manager of Turkmenistan.

Honours
Ahal
 * Ýokary Liga: 2022
 * Turkmenistan Cup: 2022
 * Turkmenistan Football Federation Cup: 2022

Personal life
Graduated from Pennsylvania State University (US) with a degree in Business Management.