After the conclusion of today’s executive committee meeting of the FFIRI, it was announced that Javad Nekounam has been appointed as the assistant coach of Team Melli and Carlos Queiroz’s right hand man. In the same meeting it was also decided that the vacant Team Melli Manager position will be awarded to Afshin Peyrovani.

Nekounam, Team Melli Captain and all time record holder of games played ,  has announced his retirement from Team Melli after the last game against Sweden.

 It was not clear if Carlos Queiroz approval or consent has been sought in these appointments.

Iranian assistant coaches’ dilemma.

Although technically speaking, these appointments are the function of the head of FFIRI, Queiroz has been influential in deciding who takes the jobs. The position of Iranian assistant coach has been a thorn in the federations back in which Queiroz has managed to deter all the 3 assistants who were appointed starting from Omid Namazi , then Majid Saleh and finally Ali Karimi. The latter did not last more than a few short months and jumped ship just before departing to Australia for the Asian Cup 2015.

Karim Bagheri was the lead nominee for the assistant coach position, however , the ex-Team Melli midfielder has preferred to join his old Club , Persepolis coaching team in an effort to develop his coaching career.

Unsatisfactory Team Managers!

 The Manager of Team Melli , which is a high profile position in the structure of Team Melli in which the coaching staff administratively report to, has also a source of Queiroz’s objections and discontent. The Portuguese head coach has openly accused them of lack of professionalism, inefficiency and dishonesty/corruption. His verbal assault has been unanswered by those who were accused and charges of corruption never investigated by Kaffashian.

In the bright side of things, the characteristics of both Nekounam and Peyrovani , both of whom are docile and submissive , may help towards enduring their stay in Team Melli and working with an over-demanding and aggressive Queiroz. Time will tell if these appointments, which seem to be a practice of trial and error in FFIRI, will be successful or not.