Nikolay Alekseyevich Gulyayev (Russian: Николай Алексеевич Гуляев; born 19 May 1957) is a former Soviet and Russian professional footballer who played as a midfielder, and a football manager. He is most recognized for his extensive playing career with Spartak Moscow and later as an assistant coach for numerous Russian clubs.
Playing career
Gulyayev began his professional football career with Spartak Moscow in 1975. He quickly established himself as a dynamic and technically proficient midfielder. He spent the majority of his playing career with Spartak, becoming a key figure in the team that won the Soviet Top League twice, in 1979 and 1987. During his tenure with Spartak, he made over 250 appearances in the Soviet Top League.Following his departure from Spartak Moscow in 1988, Gulyayev played briefly for Dynamo Moscow in 1989. He then moved to Romania, where he represented Politehnica Timișoara (1989–1990) and Inter Sibiu (1990). Towards the end of his playing career, he returned to Russia, featuring for lower-league clubs such as Presnya Moscow and Krasnaya Presnya Moscow before retiring as a player.
International career
Nikolay Gulyayev earned one cap for the Soviet Union national football team in 1979.Managerial career
After concluding his playing career, Gulyayev transitioned into coaching. He served predominantly as an assistant coach for a wide array of Russian clubs, accumulating significant experience across various levels of professional football. His assistant coaching roles included multiple stints with Spartak Moscow (including youth and first-team assistant positions), as well as with clubs like Anzhi Makhachkala, Rubin Kazan, Torpedo Moscow, FC Khimki, and Terek Grozny. He worked under several prominent managers and contributed to the strategic development of different teams.Gulyayev also took on head coaching responsibilities, notably managing Ararat Moscow in 2017 and FC Kolomna in 2018.
Honours
Player
- Spartak Moscow
- Soviet Top League: 1979, 1987