Tehran, July 3, IRNA – Head of Iranian Football Federation (IFF) said here Wednesday night IFF?s proposal is a new 3-year contract with national football team?s Portuguese head coach, Carlos Queiroz as our top priority, if possible.
Ali Kaffashian said that Iran?s proposal will be presented to Mr. Queiroz on Thursday so that negotiations on contract renewal with him will be possible accordingly.
He said that the IFF?s demands are naturally indicated in Iran?s proposal, noting that the team?s Portuguese head coach had earlier orally demanded a 2 million euro ($2.8mln), but his demand has changed after the team?s World Cup performance.

Quieroz previous contract used to be $2.5 million of which 1.5 million was his own share and the rest for his assistant coaches.

Kaffashian meanwhile referred to the International Football Federation (FIFA) $8 million prize to Iran for its success to attend the 2014 Brazil World Cup, of which 10% is Quieroz share and the rest would be spent for the IFF development plans.

On the Iranian national football team?s performance in World Cup competitions, too, he said that all in all it was satisfactory, arguing that all the same, in our third match we could have performed better and gained a better result versus he B-H team.

On the performance of the IFF, Kaffashian said that the national football team?s results in the World Cup showed that by improvement of the Iranian Football League and the football clubs? improvement of their performance quality rising to the higher phases of the World Cup, too, is possible for our national team.

On possible Queiroz supervision over the Iranian national youth football team, he said that it is arranged in the new contract that he would do so in required occasions.

With vital prize money pocketed and reputations enhanced by resolute displays, Iran should depart the World Cup with their heads held high but the possible departure of Coach Carlos Queiroz leaves the future uncertain.

For the cash strapped federation, the $US8 million prize money for qualifying for Brazil is a welcome relief as the economic sanctions placed on the country have hindered the national football team?s progress, with home friendly matches - a key source of income - proving tricky to organize.

But the money comes too late to retain the much loved Queiroz, whose tactical nous was on full display as the Iranians held African champions Nigeria and came with seconds of repeating the trick against twice former champions Argentina.

If not for a brilliant stoppage time goal by Lionel Messi and two important saves by Sergio Romero, they may have recorded one of the great World Cup shock victories over the South Americans as Quieroz rang every last bit of talent out of his committed but limited squad.

Advertisement Applauded into media conferences in Brazil, Queiroz will be a huge loss. His desire and determination to improve standards throughout the country?s football system over three years in charge resulted in one hard earned point in Brazil.

?Fans need to know what we did over three years to be here,? Queiroz told reporters after the opening draw with Nigeria.

?We have problems to arrange matches and that is why I am very happy with what we have done. I think football people understand what we have done. Most of our players play in an amateur league. Our players deserve respect.?

Queiroz fought battles to find friendly matches and argued with local clubs to release players for training squads with his successor needing to share the Mozambique-born coach?s meticulous planning and desire for greater professionalism.

The former Real Madrid manager also was rewarded for his tireless searching of the Diasporas for players to add to the squad, with his personable approach convincing the likes of Ashkan Dejagah, Reza Ghoochannejhad and Steven ?Mehrdad? Beitashour to play for him.

Dejagah and Ghoochannejhad brought pace and skill to complement a disciplined defensive effort, led impressively by holding midfielder Andranik Teymourian, which faltered only in the final 3-1 loss to Bosnia in their Group F finale.

By IRNA

 

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