Iran football trainer told to forget second job

MNA – Iran’s Football Federation caretaker head Kiumars Hashemi here Saturday warned national manager Amir Qal’e-Noii against cooperating with his former club Esteqlal.

Qal’e-Noii steered the capital’s Esteqlal toward the championship in the fifth Iran Pro League (IPL) last season and succeeded Croat head coach Branko Ivankovic after the national side’s poor performance in the 2006 World Cup.

Although Esteqlal lies in the second spot in the 16-strong IPL table after nine weeks, the popular team is a shadow of its former self.

The Blues’ under-par performance prompted the club to lure Qal’e-Noii to return and retake the helm.

Qal’e-Noii had implicitly confirmed his return to Esteqlal and the mass media had also reported that he would cooperate with the holder as technical manager as of the 10th week of the league.

While the Esteqlal Club Managing Director Meqdad Najafnejad officially announced that Qal’e-Noii would be in the dugout in the 10th-week away clash against Barq on Nov. 21, Hashemi voiced his strong opposition, warning that the national trainer should be at his side’s service full-time.

Samad Marfavi, assistant of Qal’e-Noii last season, is currently the Esteqlal head coach.

Esteqlal, along with the League Cup holder Sepahan, will represent Iran in the Asian Champions League.