Ghotbi shaken; Iran FA tracks Eriksson, Terim

AFC – TEHRAN, Afshin Ghotbi, who took over the Iran national team on a promise to win the AFC Asian Cup, now faces an uncertain future.

With the Iran FA confirming they have spoken to former Turkey coach Fateh Terin and ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, Ghotbi insisted he would play second fiddle to no one.

Ghotbi has asked the Iran FA to clarify the coaching position with nine months to go before the kick-off in Doha, Qatar.

“According to the contract between myself and the Iran FA, I am the only person authorised to make decision on technical matters and I will never work with a foreign coach,” Ghotbi said in a letter to Iran media.

Ghotbi, 46, took over from Ali Daei after Team Melli were defeated by Saudi Arabia for the first time at home in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in March, 2009.

He failed to salvage Iran’s World Cup qualifying hopes but helped the team reach the AFC Asian Cup 2011 Finals by beating Singapore 3-1 away and Thailand 1-0 at Azadi Stadium.

It was the nature of those two victories that prompted the Iran FA to consider their coaching options, the body’s vice president Mehdi Taj said.

“Iran’s performance in the recent AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifiers against Singapore and Thailand made us think we may not be able to challenge teams like South Korea, Japan or Australia in Doha,” Taj told Iran media.

“We had positive talks with Fateh Terim and Sven-Goran Eriksson. I believe we should have a big-name coach for the Asian Cup.”

Terim’s agent spoke to the-afc.com last month and confirmed reports that he was speaking to the Iran FA.

Taj said Terim was asking for US$2.5 million while Eriksson wants US$1.6 million to join Team Melli.

Added Taj: “It is now or never. We have to make a decision because we are running short of time before the Asian Cup. Paying two or three million dollars is not a big sacrifice.”