Middle East News

Jun 20, 2009, 11:46 GMT

Iran keeps Qotbi as coach despite missing World Cup

Tehran - The Iranian Football Federation (FFI) on Saturday decided to keep Iranian-American Afshin Qotbi as head coach for the country's national football team despite failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, ISNA news agency reported. The FFI has asked Qotbi to present a four-year plan for the future development of the national football team. Qotbi was initially hired only for the last three World Cup qualifiers against the United Arab Emirates, North and South Korea. His team gained five points from the three games but eventually failed to qualify. Football observers consider Qotbi as the best option for the national team due his mixed Western and Persian mentality. Qotbi, 46, is an electrical engineering graduate from the United States, who has spent most of his working life as a football coach. He has strong coaching credentials, including a spell at Korean side Samsung and was a technical assistant to South Korea under Dutchman Guus Hiddink. After the Asian Cup 2007, he was hired by Persepolis Tehran and led the capital's team to its first championship in years. He severed his contract last year after differences with the club directors.

And Also

Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups

Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups - PopEater
GASP: Goldstriker creates world's most expensive iPhone - The Tech Herald
USA Switches January Returns To One-A-Night - Cinema Blend
Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups - PopEater
A&E series 'Hoarders' and 'Intervention' premiere Monday, Nov. 30th, preview

Your Talkback on this Story

Similar articles

Topmoeller to take helm at Persepolis Tehran
Iran's coach to focus on psychology before vital World Cup games
Iran appoints Iranian-American as new head coach
Iran in disarray as coach resigns after just two weeks
Reports: Iran appoint Mayelikohan as new head coach

Latest Headlines in Middle East

Older Talkback

Middle East: Index

: News; Features

Latest Pics

From Sites we Like

Mohammed was a young boy living in Iraq when he caught the eye of a major in the National Guard. "Will you save me?" the boy said to Maj. Howell. Five months later, Howell got Mohammed a visa, a passport, and a commitment from surgeons [Hero]
Patient: "It hurts when I do this." Doctor: "Yes, well, have you considered how that impacts the planet?" [Asinine]
Video proof of UFO invasion. The war against Earth has begun [Cool]

More Not News from Fark

In Monsters and Critics

: Arts; Books; DVD; Gaming; Lifestyle; Movies; Music; News; People; Science & Nature; Sport; TV; Archives
Other Languages and Sites: Deutschland (Monsters and Critics); The Tech Herald; Free Games

Entertainment: Arts; Books; DVD; Gaming; Movies; Music; People; Soundtracks; TV
Media: Celebrity Photos; Movie Pictures; Movie Trailers; Movie Posters; Theatre Stills; Celebrity Video; Music Video
Released this week: Movies - USA; Movies - UK; DVD - USA
Distractions: Online Games; Daily Crossword; Sudoku Classic; Daily Jigsaw

World News: US; UK; Americas; Europe; Middle East; Asia Pacific; South Asia; Africa; Business; Education; Health
Science and Tech: Science and Nature; Technology
Lifestyle: Autos; Fashion; Life; Travel

Corporate

: About; Advertise; Contact; The Team; Vacancies; Privacy; RSS; Site Map; Terms; Webmasters

The Fine Print

© 2003 - 2009 by Monsters and Critics.com, WotR Ltd. All Rights Reserved. All photos are copyright their respective owners and are used under license or with permission. * Note M&C cannot be held responsible for the content on other Web Sites.

Servers supplied by Servint