FFIRI has approved the appointment of the Croat Zlatko Kranjčar as the head coach of Omid Team (U23/Olympics) with immediate effect.
Mehr News Agency reported at the meeting of the board of the FFIRI , the President Ali Kaffashian cleared the way for the coach Zlatko Kranjčar’s work to start immediately.
Fereydoun Esfahanian acting as a spokesman for the federation, confirmed the news to the media.
The selection of Zlatko Kranjčar was expected as the terms were agreed with Kashani , who is the Manager of the Omid Team and the formality of board and President approval was obtained today.
As reported earlier , it seems that Carlos Queiroz has washed his hands completely from the Omid Team after his compatriot and close friend Vingada was fired from his job following the dreadful performance and result in the Asian Games. Although the federation officials have denied any rift between the two coaches, it should be taken with a pinch of salt. The fact is that when Kranjčar was the coach of Sepahan , he was very critical of Queiroz ways and his total focus on Team Melli plans without considering the interest of the clubs during the World Cup preparation program. Some accusations have been exchanged between the two , at least in the media. With the way that Queiroz have been operating , it is doubtful that he will forget such criticism so soon. He is not known to be kind to people who do not agree with him and does hold it against them. It will be interesting to see if the two can forget the past and work together.
Kranjčar has not publicly commented on the subject.
Kranjčar main goal is to qualify Iran’s U23 to the Rio Olympic Games 2016.