Esteghlal Tehran linked with Fatih Terim

Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Iranian popular football team Esteghlal have opened negotiations over hiring Fatih Terim as their new head coach, however, the Blues have other options on their list.

Esteghlal parted company with Alireza Mansourian after a string of dire results this season in Iran Professional League.

Under the guidance of Mansourian, Esteghlal sits rock bottom of the table with five points from seven matches.

As long as Esteghlal are searching for a replacement for Mansourian, Mick McDermott will take charge of the team.

The Tehran based football club have negotiated with Terim in the last few days but the former Turkey national football team coach has not answered yet, Haberler reported.

The Turkish media reported that Esteghlal has other options for the vacant job because the team’s officials are under pressure from the fans.

Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Christoph Daum is among the candidates to be appointed as Esteghlal coach.

German Turkish head coach Engin Firat is also reportedly a nominee to take charge of the team. Firat has worked in three Iranian clubs, namely Sepahan, Saipa and Gostaresh.

Local media reports suggest that Brazilian coach Sergio Ricardo de Paiva Farias, who won the AFC Champions League title with Pohang Steelers in 2009, and Italian Walter Zenga are on the list.

According to the sources close to the club, the new head coach of Esteghlal will be named on Saturday.