Tag: Hossein Faraki

Hossein Faraki appointed as Sepahan coach

After the abrupt resignation of the Croat coach  Zlatko Kranjcar from Sepahan , Hossein Faraki was signed as the head coach of the Esfahani club.

Faraki will start his job with immediate effect this weekend when his stuttering team faces the only unbeaten team in the league , Padideh.

Farki was the prime candidate for coaching Team Melli after the World Cup when Kaffashian suddenly did a U-turn and decided that Queiroz shall remain in charge.   At this time , Team Melli is still coach less while Kaffashian keeps telling everyone that Queiroz is the coach but has not signed yet!

Meanwhile , all the teams of the Iran Group C in AFC Asian Cup 2015 ,  have played at least two friendly matches or more in their preparation for the premiere competition. Today Bahrain beat Kuwait 1-0 , while Qatar lost 0-2 to Peru.

 

Hossein Faraki reacts angrily to FFIRI suggestions.

The prime candidate for Team Melli head coach , Hossein Faraki has reacted angrily to reports of his name being included in the list of the assistant coaches to Carlos Queiroz.

Meanwhile , in another interesting development , the Vice-President of FFIR Ayatollahei , has revealed that Ali Kaffashian has had talks with Hossein Faraki regarding Team Melli coaching job.

Hossein Faraki, guided Foolad Khuzestan to its second league title last season. However, the ex-Team Melli player surprisingly tendered his resignation citing health issues and requirement to have a knee operation. Many related this sudden departure from the League Champions Foolad Khuzestan , to prospect of a better job offer,  coaching of Team Melli in the post Queiroz era.

Today , Faraki reacted quite sharply and out of his calm character to the news that he is included in the list of the assistant coaches that has been leaked to the press , as possible assistant coach to Queiroz.

“With all due respect to the President of FFIRI , I announce my deep displeasure and anger towards the federations which is using my good name without my consent,  to serve their purposes. I totally condemn such an act and ask the good people there in FFIRI to respect people’s honor and refrain from misusing my name and reputation by fallacy “

Explaining further , Faraki said “I have worked alongside great coaches in Team Melli for 7 to 8 years. I have learned a lot from them and picked up valuable experience to help my career. My success last year was not a fly by the night thing, I have worked hard for it to become what I am.”

“Now that they are in a peril, because of their failures to secure the services of the coach they wanted, they are using our names as assistant coaches  to cover their shortfalls. None of them had the decency to talk to me about it. Who told them that I want to be an assistant to anybody?”

Faraki , who must have been quite disappointed after Kaffashian pursued Querioz said “They are in such a mess out there , their acts are closer to a comedy theater rather than professional management of football.”

FFIRI issued an official  denial yesterday.

Ghalenoei attacks Ferdowspour and calls him the illness of Iran’s football!

In another indication of the low tolerance of Iranian coaches for any criticism, the post-match press conference attended by hordes of reporters , Ghalenoei strongly lashed out at Adel Ferdowsipour and his Football TV Show “Navad”. In an scathing attack , he called the famous TV presenter and his program “the illness of Iran’s football.“

Ghalenoei said that he is thinking to sue Navad program presenter if the legislations allows him to do so while he ordered Navad to stop mentioning his name on that program. Ghalenoei also banned any of his player communication with the TV show in any manner.  To add icing on the cake, Amir Ghalenoei also criticized Mohammad Fanei, the refereeing expert  who was present on the show and considered what is going on in “Navad” a pre-meditated orchestrated attack on Esteghlal Club!!!

Such radical reaction by Ghalenoei , is neither new nor unusual , however it is an alarming symptom of the deteriorating personality of Iranian coaches, their tolerance level, character and demeanor in public. Ghalenoei has just come out of another public bout with Javad Nekounam after the Team Melli Captain, accused his former coach with incompetency and failure to address tactical issues and preserve respect for his staff and players.

After Ghalenoei finished his wrath against Ferdowsipour, the customary questions time ensued as he invited the reporters to present their questions. In a very unique solidarity with a colleague in the media, not a single reporter asked him a question in what was very clear indication of the reporters’ disgust and in protest against the harsh language of the Esteghlal coach.

Ghalenoei style and verbal backlash is not very dissimilar to another fiery coach, Ali Daei the current coach of Persepolis.   While Queiroz is not exactly exemplary when it comes to accepting criticism, being hyper-sensitive to negative comments by anyone, The Team Melli coach does react in a much calmer manner which is much presentable and to an acceptable level without over dramatizing or insulting the opposite party.

Both Daei and Ghalenoei , along with Hossein Faraki , where on the shortlist of Ali Kaffashian to replace Carlos Queiroz if the two side did not agree terms. With the negotiations still at stalemate between the Portuguese coach and FFIRI, it is very much a possibility that Kaffashian might pick one of the three for Team Melli.

With Daei and Ghalenoei characters seriously in question, Hossein Faraki remains the best bet if the negotiation with Queiroz fails.

Ivankovic “The team should have played an offensive game plan against Bosnia”

Branko Ivankovic , former Team Melli coach in a short interview with ISNA, beleives that Iran missed a golden opportunity in the World Cup.  In regards to the recent Team’s performance in the World Cup , Ivankovic who was Iran’s coach in the last appearance in a World Cup in 2006 Germany , expressed his belief that “Iran should have been much more adventurous in the last game against Bosnia. The team should have played an offensive game plan because it had the potential.”

” I believe there is a big chance of winning the Asian Cup with this team” said Branko 

Branko Ivankovic is the most successful coach of Team Melli in the post revolution era.  He coached Iran U23 to the Asian Games Gold Medal in 2002, won the WAFF title in 2003 ,  lead Team Melli to third place in Asian Cup 2004 , then qualified Iran to the World Cup 2006.  

ivankovic dae epa_main

“Despite the fact that Bosnia teams has changed to the better and has many quality players, I think with the chance to qualify to the next round still alive , Iran team should have gone for it and gave it all it can , instead of sticking to the same defensive plan.” Ivankovic said “Of course , there will be a risk if a team is playing offensive football and be scored upon , but there was no choice. I was very disappointed to watch the last game against Bosnia , I think Iran missed a very good chance, it was not easy but certainly achievable.  The team could have made history for people of Iran in the last game.”

Iran should have taken a risk and played offensive against Bosnia

             Branko Ivankovic

“In the first two matches against Nigeria and Argentina, I think that defensive plan worked quite well . However , against Bosnia the game changed even before kick ogff. I really do not understand how the team will play with the same line up and the same defensive mentality, when it has to win the match ! If you have run a poll and asked Team Melli fan , I am sure that most of the Iranians wanted their team to go and attack to win the match.  The Iranian fans are the best and the deserve the best.  But in reality you must accept also that Bosnia was by far the better organized team in that match.”

“What do you think are the reasons behind Iran’s early exit ?”  the reporter asked.

“I am not with the team and definitely not aware of the circumstances around it. This question has to be directed to the team coach who has been with the team a long time now and is fully aware of everything surrounding the team especially his players. I can only judge on whatever I see on the TV screen.”

“Is there any significance that non of the Asian Teams qualified for the next round?”

“I don’t think that has any significance . Big teams such as Spain , Italy and England were eliminated from the first round. This is the World Cup where anything can happen. Sometimes teams achieve their objectives sometime thy fail.”

“For argument sake , if you were the team coach in Brazil , would you have opted to play a defensive game?”

“In the first game, I would be cautious and lean towards playing a tight defense, I would also extend that to the second game against a powerful opposition, but like I said earlier , there is no reason to play defense when you need to win and score goals.! A golden opportunity was missed for Iranian people and fans.”

” For the Asian cup 2015 , I believe that this team has the potential to lift the trophy after so many decades. Although the players gave it their best in the World Cup , they did not succeed however in Australia they can compensate for that failure.”

“What is your opinion on Carlos Queiroz continuing with Team Melli?”

“I heard that Hossein Faraki is going to take over the job.  He is a good coach, he worked with me and I have a lot of respect for his character. If he gets the job , I am confident that he will build a good team for the championship which can play with confidence.”

“Do you think that Team Melli needs to inject new younger players for the Asian Cup?”

“I cannot answer that question. It is up to the new coach to decide and I am sure whoever it is , he will pick what he believes is the best team.”

“What is you opinion on your own country’s team Croatia ?”

“We had a very good team and people are very disappointed that it did not qualify. We played very well in two games but against Mexico we were disappointing., This is football , what you wish is different than what is in reality.”

 

Is Faraki groomed to take over from Queiroz?

Is somehow a surprised and questionable move, Hossein Faraki sternly refused to renew his contract with Foolad Khuzestan citing Medical problem (knee injury). Faraki who has guided Foolad Khuzestan to only their second ever League title this season parted company with Foolad as he explained  “an operation is needed on my knees. I have to quit as I will not be able to accompany the team and I believe the team will waste valuable time if I do not recover properly for the start of the pre-season training.I have to have a rest period so that I can be fully fit for future duties”

While the problem with Hossein Faraki’s knee is well known, it has not prevented his mobility in a major way , and the operation that he needs to carry out , is not deemed to have a crippling effect or long term mobility problem.

The CEO of Foolad Khuzestan has said that “the club will do anything to keep Faraki in Ahvaz, even if we have to drag him on a wheelchair, but Faraki wanted to leave and concentrate on his forthcoming knee operation and recovery process. We reluctantly agreed to his request to resign. We regret that this gentleman who has left a legacy with us , beautiful memories and a team that we are proud of , is going to be no more part of the organization.”

Things being what they are in Iran , in an essence , nothing is too straight foreword, rumors are already brewing that Hossein Faraki will be taking over from Carlos Queiroz after the Portuguese coach contract expires with the World Cup.

Kaffashian has already admitted that his federation cannot afford to renew the contract of Queiroz and his coaching staff , especially since the Portuguese rate has gone up. Kaffashian also said that no one is willing to tab the bill for Queiroz expenses ( ..we wonder why ?) and hence the chances of Carlos Queiroz leading Team Melli after the World Cup is extremely slim.

When asked about the prospects of Team Melli coaching job , Faraki said that he is honored to be considered for such a position however, he denied that he has been approached by the federation although later he added that he should not really be commenting on this issue!. Faraki wished Team Melli all the best in the World Cup under its present coach and insisted that in this period he wants to get over with his operation.

With FFIRI continual financial distress and the inability to afford a high profile European coach , Hossein Faraki seems to be quite an logical choice for Team Melli amongst the rest of the candidates. Recent Iranian coaches appointments from Ghalenoei , Ebrahimzadeh,  Daei  and  Mansourian did not yield the desired results although Ghalenoei and Daei had very respectable records during their reign while the other two were hardly given a decent chance (3 matches for Ebrahimzadeh and one for Mansourian).  

With a championship title in the bag, Faraki can claim a major achievement especially considering that he won the league based on team of young players, limited budget/resources, dearth of star players or high profile footballers and inexperienced team compared to his more illustrious rivals.

Whether Faraki will take over after June is still not clear yet, but knowing the people who pull the strings in the federation and their sense of urgency which is compatible with the of a turtle’s march, Faraki might very well find himself as an emergency coach albeit a temporary one, because the FFIRI fails to  find a suitable coach in such a short time!  None of the other high profile Iranian coaches will be available because they are contracted to their teams, Faraki however, will be out of contract creating the ideal opportunity to take over at short notice. That is one very possible scenarion

 

Stay tuned.

 

Faraki-hos

 

Hossein Faraki Career Information

Personal information
Full name Hossain Faraki
Date of birth March 22, 1957 (age 57)
Place of birth TehranIran
Playing position Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1976–1979 Pas Tehran
1979–1981 Al-Shaab (UAE)
1981–1992 Pas Tehran
National team
1977–1980 Iran 22 (11)
Teams managed
2009–2010 Kaveh
2010–2012 Naft Tehran
2012–2014 Foolad

Foolad Khuzestan wins the league title

Foolad Khuzestan the proud team from South of Iran has won the Persian Gulf League title in a dramatic last day of the season.

A goal by Team Melli defender Mehrdad Jamaati in the 37th minute of Foolad’s match against Gostarish in Tabriz , was enough for Hossein Faraki men to win the championship.

Foolad Khuzestan , a young team and well-known for its pedigree of producing talented young players , were chasing the title from the onset of the season , however a tough competition with Naft Tehran , Sepahan , Persepolis and Esteghlal was ensued until the last day of the season.

This is the second title won by Foolad Khuzestan , the first was in 2004-05 season. The team will be competing in the next season AFC Asian Champions league while Foolad is still very much alive in the current Champions league and has a good chance to qualify for the knock out rounds.

The season ended in a very sore note for the defending champions Esteghlal. After the loss to Tractorzasi 3-1 at home in Azadi on Friday, Esteghlal dropped to fifth and lost it spot in the AFC Champions League. It is the first time in 6 seasons that Esteghlal will not participate in this major continental clubs competition.  The other big loser was Sepahan . The team from Esfahan which holds the a record 4 league titles lost its spot in the same competition despite defeating title contender Naft Tehran.

On the other hand, Persepolis will return back to the AFC Champions league for the first time after an absence of 3 seasons. Ali Daei’s men , despite huge financial problems  managed to beat Esteghlal Khuzestan in the final day and climb to the second position.

Karim Ansarifard , Tractorsazi and Team Melli forward won the top scorer title with 14 goals

 

Final League Standing

Persian Gulf League Season 2013-14

#

 

Team

MP

W

D

L

F

A

D

P

Last 5 matches

1

Foolad Khuzestan

30

16

9

5

36

24

+12

57

WLWDW

2

Persepolis

30

16

8

6

34

15

+19

55

WDWWD

3

Naft Tehran

30

15

9

6

39

23

+16

54

LWWDW

4

Sepahan

30

14

12

4

36

20

+16

54

WWDDW

5

Esteghlal

30

15

9

6

34

25

+9

53

LWLLW

6

Tractor Sazi

30

11

13

6

39

33

+6

45

WWLLL

7

Malavan

30

13

6

11

40

33

+7

44

LLWWL

8

Saipa

30

7

14

9

26

31

-5

35

DDDDL

9

Saba Qom

30

8

9

13

32

38

-6

33

DDWLD

10

Gostaresh Fola…

30

7

11

12

31

34

-3

32

LLLDD

11

Rah Ahan

30

7

10

13

25

34

-9

31

LDWWD

12

Esteghlal Khuz…

30

6

11

13

26

37

-11

29

LLLDD

13

Zob Ahan

30

6

11

13

24

36

-12

29

WWLLL

14

Fajr Sepasi

30

6

11

13

20

34

-14

29

WDDWD

15

Damash Gilan

30

5

12

13

30

40

-10

26

DLLDD

16

Mes Kerman

30

1

19

10

21

36

-15

22

DDDDD

 

 

 

List of League champions by season

2001–02               Persepolis

2002–03               Sepahan

2003–04               Pas Tehran

2004–05               Foolad Khuzestan

2005–06               Esteghlal

2006–07               Saipa

2007–08               Persepolis

2008–09               Esteghlal

2009–10               Sepahan Esfahan

2010–11               Sepahan Esfahan

2011–12               Sepahan Esfahan

2012–13               Esteghlal

2013-14                Foolad Khuzestan

Hossein Faraki offered U-23 coaching job.

The head coach of Foolad Khuzestan and ex-Team Melli player was quoted by ISNA as saying that the Iranian Football Federation has verbally offered him the job of coaching the Olympic or the U-23 team . Faraki whose team is leading the Persian Gulf League table said that a representative from the FFIRI has spoken to Foolad Khuzestan chairman about the job offer, but no one has approached him personalty. Faraki said he came to know about this offer from his club CEO Mr. Dehkerdi.

This development comes in the aftermath of the negotiation between the FFIRI and Nelo Vingada , the Portuguese coach who was approached for the same job. It is clear that Vingada, hand picked by Carlos Queiroz , has not reached an agreement with the federation hence the approach towards Faraki. During the pre-match conference with Guinea , Ali Kaffashian was asked about the job offer to Vingada. The head of FFIRI confirmed that no final agreement has been reached with the Portuguese coach who is a close friend of Team Melli coach Carlos Queiroz.

In response to the verbal job offer, Hossein Faraki said that all his focus now is on Foolad Khuzestan and the championship title challenge with 3 rounds of the league remaining.