Tehran Times - Hossein Faraki stepped down from coaching role of the Saipa football team on Tuesday.

He helped Saipa avoid relegation from the Iran Professional League last week.  

Last year, Faraki joined Saipa on a one-year contract for an undisclosed fee and didn’t extend his deal with the Iranian football team at the end of the season.

“Faraki has said goodbye to Saipa and we wished him all the best,” Saipa General Manager Reza Darvish said.

“He needs to rest and will not accept any offer for one year,” he added.

Tractor Sazi coach Amir Ghalenoei and Naft Tehran coach Ali Daei are reportedly candidates to replace Faraki.

Faraki, 60, began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Pas Tehran, the club that he played for in 1976 to 1992.

After six years as assistant coach, he was named as Pas head coach in 2000.

During Branko Ivankovic's time at Team Melli, Faraki was his assistant. He was also the head coach of the Iran under-23 football team from 2003 till 2006.

Faraki has worked at Naft Tehran and won the IPL titles with Foolad and Sepahan.

Top