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Esteghlal   Winfried Schafer  

Winfried Schaefer

PLDC - Esteghlal football coach Winfried Schaefer says he has yet to receive any formal offer for extending his contract. 

The former coach of the Jamaica national football team was appointed as the new head coach of Iranian professional football club Esteghlal in October until the end of the season, with the option of extension.

Under guidance of Schaefer, Esteghlal finished third in Iran Professional League.

They will have a chance of winning Iran’s Hazfi Cup in the next few days. 

The Blues have also qualified for the AFC Champions League Round of 16 under tutelage of the German coach.

“I was supposed to receive a new offer but Esteghlal officials have not negotiated with me so far and so my agent can talk with other clubs about a deal,” Schaefer said after the match against Sepahan.

“I want to keep moving forward with Esteghlal. When I came here, there was a concern that Esteghlal cannot stay in Iran Professional League. If you want to stay on top you have to work hard,” the German coach added. 

“I love Esteghlal fans. We have the best fans in Iran and I have to say I’ve never seen such a good fans in my life,” Schaefer stated.

Schaefer started his coaching career with German association football club Borussia Monchengladbach II in 1982.

He then signed with Karlsruher SC, and led the team to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup in the 1993–94 season.

The German coach has also worked at VfB Stuttgart and Tennis Borussia Berlin.