It is difficult for me to leave Persepolis: Karim Bagheri

Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Persepolis coach Karim Bagheri, who is supposed to cooperate with Iran national football team, says that it’s very difficult for him to leave his club.

Bagheri, who has been part of the Persepolis club’s staff for the last five years, currently works as the assistant coach of Yahya Golmohammadi.

The 47-year-old coach was named as Iranian assistant of Dragan Skocic in Iran national football team in early March and will have a part-time job in national team since he is still Persepolis’s assistant coach.

When asked whether it is the last season of his presence on the Persepolis bench, Bagheri responded: “This is what the football federation wants. Given that I have a contract with Persepolis for another year, the federation and the club must reach an agreement on the issue.”

According to the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI)’s announcement, Karim Bagheri will assist Skocic in the 2022 World Cup qualification.

Former Iran national team midfielder believes taht the federation has put him in a difficult situation.

“Mr. Nabi, the secretary general of the FFIRI, clarified his stance in this regard, and it was decided to announce our views for a final agreement.

“It is very difficult for me to leave Persepolis. I’ve been in this club for several years and I have always shown and expressed my love for Persepolis. The fans have always been kind to me and I consider myself a member of Persepolis family. It is really difficult for me to choose between the national team and Persepolis right now. I hope whatever happens, happens for good.”

Iran national team are scheduled to host Hong Kong on October 8 in Tehran and meet Cambodia five days later in Phnom Penh.

Iran’s last two matches against Bahrain and Iraq – which are very crucial – will be against Bahrain and Iraq on November 12 and 17 in Tehran.