Maradona mulls over coaching Iran football

The former Argentina coach, who is currently visiting China, announced that he has had no meeting with the Iranian football officials, but in response to the question regarding would he be Iran coach, he just smiled.

Tang Qinghui, a spokeswoman for Maradona, said, “Maradona has definitely not met with any Chinese football clubs during this trip to talk about any offers or related matters.”

Asked about offers to Maradona to be the new manager of Iran national team, Tang said she put the issue to Maradona and “he didn’t say anything, but just smiled.”

Meanwhile Iranian football officials have already ruled out all speculations that Maradona will replace coach Afshin Ghotbi in the team.

“Maradona has already announced that he wants to come to Tehran to meet the Iranian political officials. We are making efforts to pave the way for the visit, but nothing has been finalized so far. He (Maradona) will come here just to meet Mr. Ahmadinejad, and not for negotiating about taking the helm of Iran team,” Iran’s Football Federation President Ali Kaffashian said earlier.