 On 30 May 2018, Gabala announced that Sanan Gurbanov had been appointed as the club's new manager on a two-year contract.On 31 August 2019, Gurbanov resigned as manager following Gabala's 4–0 defeat at home to Keşla.On 2 September 2019, Elmar Bakhshiyev was appointed as Gabala's caretaker manager.