Shota Arveladze confirms Pakhtakor exit

The news came less than 36 hours after Pakhtakor completed a second successive league and cup double by defeating AGMK 3-0 in the Uzbekistan Cup final in Namangan.

Arveladze’s departure ends a three-year period which saw Pakhtakor regain the mantle of Uzbekistan’s top club, delivering five domestic trophies and returning to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2009.

In a social media post, in which he also thanked the club’s owners and directors, Arveladze paid tribute to Pakhtakor's fans and players.

“Three years have passed,” began the former Ajax and Rangers star. "Today I resign my position at Pakhtakor.

“I’m grateful for three exciting, beautiful and successful years. Thank you to the fans, the team, players, stuff (sic) and to all who have supported us.

“I wish (for the) club to continue winning and to get stronger. I am no longer Pakhtakor manager, but I am still a big fan of theirs. It’s been a great experience for me and life here has been fantastic.

"We were a great team, and I will never forget you.”

Arveladze’s three-year stint at the helm made him Pakhtakor’s longest-serving manager in over a decade and, with 43 wins in 52 league matches in the past two seasons, he was one of their most successful.

Pakhtakor will now look to appoint a new head coach ahead of the 2021 campaign.