Zhaksybekov, who is the current head of the Athletic Federation of Kazakhstan, previously held the role from 2007 to 2014.

He has replaced Seilda Bayshakov, a former Soviet Union international player, following a unanimous vote at the KFF's assembly.

The 63-year-old, who has also held political roles ranging from Mayor of Astana to the country's Minister of Defence, has said that strengthening the country's domestic league and further developing the grassroots of the game in Kazakhstan will be his top priorities.

"The Championship is competitive," he told UEFA's website.

"And football centres for children are operational in all regions in Kazakhstan.

"Of course, we have to address some problem areas - our national team is not performing as well as we would like.

"We have to develop our local Championship, and then we will have a strong national team."

In 2015, FC Astana became the first Kazakh team to reach the group stages of UEFA’s premier club competition - the UEFA Champions League.

FC Astana have also reached the group stages of the UEFA Europa League in the last two seasons and became the first-ever Kazakh team to qualify from the group stages of a European competition this season after finishing second in Group A.

Thanks to these exploits Kazakh club football reached its highest-ever UEFA ranking of 27th in 2016.

The national team is currently ranked as the 136th best team in the world by FIFA with its highest ranking of 83rd coming in September 2016.

The team have never qualified for a major tournament since the country's breakaway from the Soviet Union in 1991.