TEHRAN, March 12 (dpa/EP) –
Iranian coach Amir Ghalenoei has been named Iran coach for the second time, the state news agency IRNA reported on Sunday.
The 59-year-old Iranian coach replaces the Portuguese Carlos Queiroz, who left office after the World Cup in Qatar, in which Iran fell again in the group stage for the sixth time in six appearances.
Ghalenoei was already a coach between 2006 and 2007 without much success, but his strong performance in Iranian club football, with five titles, has earned him a second chance despite criticism from fans for his conservative tactics.
The arrival of another foreign coach was made impossible by economic limitations and external sanctions. Ali Daei was linked to the post in the media, but political differences with the regime, amid nationwide protests, ruled him out.