Zico among candidates for Iran coach: official

MNA – TEHRAN, Flamengo director Zico has been named among the candidates to take charge of the Iran football.

The 57-old year has previously managed Japan’s national team, Fenerbache, Bunyodkor, CSKA Moscow and Olympiacos.

“Iran Football Federation (IFF) is negotiating with some well known coaches as Afshin Ghotbi’s contract is expiring after the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Zico is also one of the candidates,” IFF vice president Mehdi Taj said.

Diego Maradona and Sven-Goran Eriksson were named among the candidates to coach Iran but both of them rejected the offers.

Iran will face North Korea, Iraq and the UAE in Group D of the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar.