Saipa reaches agreement with Hossein Faraki

Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Hossein Faraki will take charge of the Iranian football club Saipa in the 2016-17 season.

Faraki has been out of work since parting company with Sepahan by mutual consent in the 11th week of the Iran Professional League in last season.

Faraki has joined Saipa on a one-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 59-year-old coach began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Pas Tehran, the club that he played for in 1976 to 1992.

After six years as assistant coach, he was named as Pas head coach in 2000.

During Branko Ivankovic’s time as Team Melli manager, Faraki was the assistant manager. He was also the head coach of the Iran under-23 football team from 2003 till 2006.

Farakis has worked at Naft Tehran and won the IPL titles with Foolad and Sepahan.

Faraki was appointed as head coach of Naft Tehran on 1 July 2010 and secured the team from relegation in his first season at the club. He signed a two-year contract with Foolad on 5 June 2012. He led Foolad to the AFC Champions League for the second time since 2006 after they finished 4th in 2012–13. In 2013–14 season, Faraki’s side won the league, finishing the season with 57 points, two more from runners-up Persepolis.

On 9 September 2014, Faraki was named as new head coach of Sepahan with signing a two-year contract, replaced Zlatko Kranjcar.

He led Sepahan to the league title in his first season at the club. On 30 May 2015, he extended his contract with Sepahan until 2018. However, he was sacked by the club on 1 November 2015 after a run of unsuccessful results.