Iran after Sven-Goran Eriksson

TEHRAN TIMES – TEHRAN, Vice president of Iran’s Football Federation (IFF) Mehdi Taj said that Sven-Goran Eriksson is a candidate to coach Team Melli (Iran’s national team).

Eriksson has been appointed as coach of Ivory Coast team and will take charge of it in the 2010 World Cup.

“IFF has negotiated with Sven-Goran Eriksson about leading Iran in the AFC Asian Cup 2011,” Taj said.

IFF has also negotiated with former Turkey coach Fatih Terim, he added.

The current Iranian coach Afshin Ghotbi is under contract with the IFF until the end of the AFC Asian Cup 2011. However, there is a clause in the deal which allows the Iranian federation to end Ghotbi’s contract. In any case the IFF have to pay remuneration.

Ghotbi stated in a letter on Tuesday he will not work with a foreign coach and requested the IFF to be clear on this matter.