On July 11, 2023, Chairman of Supervisory Board of “Neftçi” Professional Football Club (PFC), SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf met with Romanian football expert Adrian Mutu. At the meeting, opinions were exchanged about the current situation and objectives of “Neftçi” PFC, and expectations regarding club were brought to attention.

Later, 2-year contract was signed with Adrian Mutu.

Adrian Mutu expressed that he was honored to be appointed head coach of “Neftçi” PFC: This is biggest club in Azerbaijan with the biggest and most passionate fan base in Azerbaijan. “Neftçi” fans are famous in Europe for their passion and loyalty, and I hope to build a good connection with them, because at the of the the day they are the once keeping always alive the spirits of a team. My aim is to bring “Neftçi” back to the place it deserves to be - to dominate in Azerbaijan and represent Azerbaijan in Europe with pride and honour.

It should be noted that after departure of head coach Laurențiu Reghecampf and his assistants on June 21, negotiations were held with a number of candidates, among whom an agreement was reached with a specialist with the highest skills and potential, whose interests overlap with our club's. .

Presentation of new head coach to the public will take place after the club management and team members return from summer preparation, and a press conference will be held in this regard.

It should be noted that Adrian Mutu was born on January 8, 1979. Mutu was one of the best players in Romanian football history and played in some Romanian clubs, “Internazionale”, “Hellas Verona”, “Parma”, “Juventus”, “Fiorentina”, “Cesena” in Italy, “Chelsea” in England, “Ajaccio” in France və “Pune City” in India. He played 77 matches and scored 35 goals for Romania national team. He was selected as Player of the Year of 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008 in Romania and 2007 in Italy. 

Adrian Mutu became head coach of “Voluntari” (Romania, 2018), “Al Wahda” U-21 (UAE, 2018-2019), Romania U-21 national team (2020-2021), “Universitatea Craiova” (Romania, 2021) və “Rapid” (Bucharest, Romania, 2022-2023). He has UEFA PRO Coaching Licence.