In 1995, he began his professional career for the
FC Kolos Krasnodar as a
defender. He played for
FC Rostselmash-d,
FC Kuban Krasnodar,
FC Krasnoznamensk,
FC Gazovik Orenburg,
FC Caspiy,
FC Spartak Tambov,
FC Reutov,
FC Don Novomoskovsk, FC Yassy-Sayram,
FC Nara-ShBFR Naro-Fominsk,
FC Spartak Shchyolkovo,
FC Smena Komsomolsk-na-Amure,
FK Metallurg Krasnoyarsk and
FC Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. Alexander Krestinin started his coaching career in
FC Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. Since 21 October 2014 he is a coach of the
Kyrgyzstan national football team. On 2 June 2017, Krestinin was appointed as a manager of
FC Dordoi Bishkek, until the end of 2018, whilst keeping his Kyrgyzstan national team job. As coach of Kyrgyzstan, the team underwent significant improvement, and Kyrgyzstan has finally qualified to the
2019 AFC Asian Cup for the first time. Krestinin was accredited for the team's success. On 1 November 2021,
Dordoi Bishkek announced that Krestinin would leave his post as Head Coach at the end of the season after 169 matches with the club. On 3 April 2023, the
Kyrgyz Football Union announced the departure of Krestinin as
Kyrgyzstan Head Coach by mutual agreement. On 7 July 2023, Krestinin was appointed as Head Coach of
Uzbekistan Super League club
Bunyodkor. On 5 November 2024, Krestinin resigned as Head Coach of
Lokomotiv Tashkent. In December 2024, Krestinin was announced as the Head Coach of the new
Kyrgyz Premier League club
Bars Issyk-Kul. ==Honours==