voldemort

According to reports in Tehran, the list of foreigners who have refused to take the job is a long one. Rudi Krol, Roy Hodgson, Javier Clemente, Peter Reid and Pim Verbeek are just some of the names that refused the honour of leading one of Asian powerhouses.
As well as saying 'no', Verbeek also had some advice for the Iranian Football Federation (IFF). The Dutchman recommended that the IFF hire his former assistant Afshin Ghotbi.
It was good advice.
With the road to the World Cup in 2010 winding its way across Asia before it heads to South Africa, the Iranian-American represents the best of both worlds for the IFF. He is both a domestic and foreign boss.
After leaving Tehran at the age of 13, Ghotbi, now 43, played the game in California before building a reputation as one of the nation’s brightest coaching prospects.That reputation earned him a spot on the coaching staff of the United States at the 1998 World Cup an experience that included watching his native country defeat his adopted one 2-1 in Lyon. Nine years later, Ghotbi was again on the sidelines watching Iran as the assistant coach of South Korea. This time he was on the winning side as Team Melli were eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the Asian Cup. In the intervening period, Ghotbi assisted Guus Hiddink at the 2002 World Cup and Dick Advocaat at the 2006 version.
During that time, one that also included work with Korean and Japanese clubs, the young coach became familiar with the continent’s football scene. That education continued in the Asian Games and during qualifying for the 2007 Asian Cup. Ghotbi’s reputation as a forward and flexible thinker meant that he was often linked with various jobs around Asia.
The offer from Persepolis was one that he couldn’t refuse and no wonder. Massive in Tehran, huge in Iran and big in Asia, the Reds are more than a football club to its millions of followers - not only in the football-mad Persian nation but also all around the world.
Without a title since 2002, the club turned to Ghotbi as the man to restore flagging fortunes.It is not a small task as Arie Haan, Rainer Zobel and, most recently, Mustafa Denizli, found out. Pressures are big for the boss of Persepolis. Not only is success demanded, but old players, such as Farhoud Pious, are quick to snipe. Opposite numbers could also have been more welcoming too. Soon to be ex-Esteghal manager Nasser Hezaji labelled his methods as being “20 years out of date”.
Ghotbi has let his team do the talking for him. Persepolis stormed to the top of the table right from the start of the season and has stayed there ever since.
Bold moves have thrilled the Azadi faithful. In front of 70,000 people in October, Persepolis were being held 2-2 by Esteghlal of Ahvaz. Despite having had a player sent off, Ghotbi threw on an attacker for a defender and was rewarded with a stunning last-minute winner.
Appointing Ghotbi would, admittedly, be a similarly bold move by the IFF. Half a season in Iranian football isn’t much time but it is much more than the 20 days that remain before Iran take on Syria. Even a part-time role would be preferable to the present situation. Unlike most of the names mentioned, Afshin Ghotbi has been to Syria, has been all around Asia and is showing that he can handle himself in Tehran's football circles.


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source:goal.com