After the confirmation of the departure of António Simões from Iran and his resignation from Team Melli coaching team , Kaffashian has announced that his replacement will be an Iranian coach.

António Simões who has worked beside Carlos Queiroz as an assistant coach decided to leave his job citing personal reasons. In a statement to the Portuguese website , the 70 year old coach has been with Team Melli since April 2011 , confirmed that he has no problem or disputes with the federation , but personal reasons had made him decide to leave Iran.

Although Queiroz is reported to have hand pick a replacement , the statement by Kaffashian would mean that Queiroz needs to find a local coach.