Tehran, Feb 3, IRNA --
Hossein Faraki was appointed as the coach of
Iran's national soccer team Saturday.
According to Iran's Football Federation (IFF), the Committee of Iranian
National Soccer Teams installed Faraki as the assistant of newly-appointed
Croat Head Coach Branco Ivankovic on February 2.
Faraki was among the main players of national team of the country in 1978
World Cup held in Argentina.
He has already been the assistant coach of the national side when Jalal
Talebi and Mansour Pour-Heidari were the head coaches.
Faraki said he is proud of being among the coaches of national team,
adding that he would do his best.
Talking to IRNA, he said the national soccer team belongs to 70 million
people of the country and therefore the coaches and players are obliged to
make the nation happy by good results.
Following the failure of Iran to book a berth in 2002 World Cup finals,
Ivankovic and other coaches are making every effort to turn Iran into a
powerful team in Asia, added Faraki.
He asked the mass media to help national coaches achieve this objective by
their constructive criticisms and proposals.
Touching upon his cooperation with the Tehrani club, Pas, Faraki said he
held negotiation in a meeting with Ivankovic and Ajorloo and Homayoun
Shahrokhi, Pas managing director and head coach, Saturday and he would not
cooperate with the club any longer and intends to be at service of
the Croat coach.
He expressed his gratitude to officials of Pas for agreeing with his
request.