Tag: Dragan Skočić

Skocic: ‘I didn’t expect the red carpet, but I did expect some respect.’

Dragan Skočić,  in an exclusive interview with the Croatian site Vecerenji List, said that many in Iran tried to devalue him after he managed a near-miraculous qualification to the FIFA World Cup.  Skočić took over when Team Melli was third behind Bahrain and Iraq and had to win all the matches away concentrated in one place in Bahrain losing home advantage with most of the opposition teams.

Skocic: ‘I didn’t expect the red carpet, but I did expect some respect. And some have tried to devalue everything I’ve done with the national team’

Hassan Haidar Diab,  Vecerenji List reporter in Tehran spoke to the Iranian coach, Rijeka’s Dragan Skokic, who took this Asian country sovereignly to the World Cup

On the streets of Tehran, whoever hears that you are from Croatia, immediately pats you with their hand and says – Skokić. How could he not when Dragan Skočić, the coach of Iran, made a historic success when he took the team to the World Cup in Qatar, a few games before the end of qualifying, winning first place in the group, which few expected. I spoke with Dragan Skočić in the Iranian capital Tehran at the Olympic Hotel.

Although it was an agreement that the interview would last an hour, we talked for more than three hours, and the reason is simple: on each answer, he had to break because he was interrupted by his many fans who asked for an autograph or photo shoot. What sounds amazing, even though women in Iran don’t go to stadiums, many of them stopped next to him, verbally praised him, and took selfies.

When Dragan Skočić became Iran’s coach in February 2020, the team was in an unenviable position in Qatar’s World Cup qualifiers. They managed six points only in their first four games and the previous coach, Belgium’s Marc Wilmots, left the helm. Iran had played in the previous two World Cups and in a country where football is extremely popular it was unacceptable not to make it to Qatar. That is why they decided to appoint 53-year-old Dragan Skočić, a former player and Coach of Rijeka who has led four teams in Iran since 2013 – Malavan, Foolad, Khooneh Be Khooneh, and Sanat Naft.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Vecernji list, Dragan Skočić talks about life in Iran, and expectations in Qatar, especially with an emphasis on the match with the USA, which already all football fans call the match of all matches due to political tensions and hostility between the two countries.

-There has been a lot of speculation about you leaving the Iranian national team, however, you remain the Head Coach and are about to start preparations.

– Generally, I’m not someone who’s burdened with his own importance and someone who expects a red carpet after a job well done, but at the very least I expect respect. Because it’s clear that I have credit for qualifying for this World Cup, too. There are people who are trying to devalue everything I’ve done so far out of different interests. They all have in common that they are resistant to facts. Throughout the qualifiers, they tried to create and multiply conflicts, thus creating problems around the national team. All of them should not ignore the fact that these were the fastest World Cup qualifiers for an Asian team in history, with the most wins and the most points scored. –

‘I did it because I’m focused on my job’ 

-Where will you have a camp to prepare the national team and with whom will you play friendly preparatory games?

– If there are no changes, the national team camp should be in Vienna and rivals Uruguay and Senegal.

You have made an incredible historic success with the Iranian national team, you have qualified for the World Cup in Qatar already a few games before the end of qualifying. How did you do that? This has not worked for any head coach before you, and it is known that on the Iranian bench sat before the likes of Carlos Queiroz, the former Real Madrid coach, and Marc Wilmots, the former Belgium coach.

– I succeeded because first of all I was focused only on my job, I neglected all other external aspects, and I excluded all that irrelevant that is distracting. It’s pretty hard work in Iran, but I learned my lesson a long time ago: either don’t heed the comments or take them as motivation. I didn’t pay attention to the comments, I think that was crucial. I didn’t compromise any guy. I started from never being able to satisfy everyone. I was always myself. I think that quality work was crucial. –

-Iran hired you after Marc Wilmots performed poorly in the first four games of the World Cup qualifiers and in 18 games you scored 15 wins, one draw, and two losses and led the team to first place in the World Cup qualifying group. Given that at that moment almost no one believed that Iran would make it, how much pressure did you feel about this impossible mission?

– It was really difficult at the beginning, the team was under a lot of pressure, because of previous bad results we were not allowed to drop a point in the next qualifiers. A lot of people have already written us off. I think my knowledge of the players, the circumstances, and the mentality of the players helped, and the players showed great stability and character in a stressful situation that was almost lost. In the turbulence, we all showed composure together.

– Given that politics always gets involved in sports, what do you expect from the U.S. game? How are you going to prepare the players for this game, given that there are high political tensions and animosity between the two countries on the political scene?

– We can’t ignore the political importance that game will carry with it. I’m sure my players will be highly motivated for that game because it will mean a lot for everyone in Iran. Emotions will certainly run wild, and the key may be precisely how to control these emotions and how to focus players on the game itself.

– Iran has never made it past the first round at the FIFA World Cup. At the World Cup in Qatar starting in November, Iran will be in Group B along with England, the USA and Wales. Do they expect you in Iran to succeed for the first time with the national team, is there already pressure on you?

– Such expectations, of course, exist because, as you said, Iran has not yet had the experience of passing the first round. My expectations also go in this direction, but it is clear that in all this there must be a dose of objectivity and humility. Only in this way can we achieve the highest level possible. After making it to the World Cup, which was our goal, of course we too are to revise our goals. I put pressure on myself because I want us to do something that no one has done before, although I am aware of how difficult it will be.

– In the past almost ten years you have coached four clubs in Iran, obviously, the results were good enough to offer you the position of coach.

– Without false modesty, I think I’ve done a good job on all the teams. There were people in the Iranian League who recognized it and believed in me. I think I gave them that trust back. Everyone was expecting a big name. It was an aggravating factor for me. When I came to the coach, I was first ignored by a part of the public, and later they started criticizing me, which was an evident improvement. Also, I’ve been in Iran a long time, and a lot of people have had the opportunity to meet me, I hope a lot of people appreciate me. –

What is your relationship with the media in Iran now?

– I have to say, I’ve been pretty timid in my relationship with the media lately, which is never good, but only because I thought my team needed peace and stability. Otherwise, I don’t like the pathetic endless pandering to the public and the media. It’s hard to get myself to say what other people would like to hear. I don’t spend much time tempting the environment and communicating my image, and I am aware, of course, of the influence of the media. That may be one of my flaws.

– Is there anything Iran’s team is better at than it was at the two previous World Cups when it came close to reaching the second round?

– It’s ungrateful to compare the Iranian national team then and now. In big games, most players play at their level, and I have witnessed during these years that Iranian players can go above that level. It is, I’m sure, a common trait for all generations. Some teams seem comfortable when they have the ball and others when they don’t have it. I think Iran in this World Cup needs to strive harder for the game, because that’s in its genetic code. That doesn’t mean we’re going to be naïve or we’re not going to respect pragmatism. –

What else will be important in the preparation for the World Cup? Will yo call Moharrami from Dinamo?

– Of course, we respect all opponents to the maximum, but we believe that our team has sufficient quality to stand up to everyone in the World Cup. It will be of great importance for us that in front of the World Cup as many players as possible play the same standard they play at their clubs, to be in good shape, and for everyone to be healthy in the World Cup itself because the preparations have never been shorter. We have a lot of players out there, it’s about their experience and the knowledge they bring and transfer from different backgrounds. Moharrami is a standard member of the team. He has played almost all the qualifiers and I expect a lot from him.

– What do you think of the stars on the teams, I don’t mean on your team in Iran, but in general?

– Some players think about what a team needs, and in most cases the so-called stars follow instinct and talent, have the capacity to improvise, they are ahead of what happens on the field. The team needs both control and chaos. You need both the stars and the ones that don’t define by that prefix. But sometimes you have a situation where you’re aware that an individual player is the best player, but you also understand that the team plays their best without him. All coaches have in common that they like the types of players who give everything they have to make the team good, like our Modric, and less those who take advantage of the team to make them look good. However, as I said, ingenious and creative players are always welcome with me.

– Besides you, which of the other Croatian coaches is on the staff?

– Recently, Krunoslav Rendulić, who used to be my assistant, joined the staff, and in recent years he worked independently, and previously there are assistant Marijo Tot and goalkeeping coach Mladen Žganjer. The small Croatian colony is complemented by Iranian coaches who are in extraordinary synergy with us and together we make a good team.

– While we were talking, we were often interrupted by your fans and wanted to take a picture with you…

– The Iranians love football, and Team Melli is important to the Iranian people, so it is, therefore, normal for them to take pictures with the Iranian coach here.

– You’ve been in Iran a long time, how do you like living in this country?

– I certainly want to dispel prejudices and myths about Iran as a negative country as suggestively offered by the superficial Western media by scaring the world with Iran and Iranians. I would like as many people as possible to visit and get to know Iran because I can promise them an authentic experience. Iranians love guests, people will win you over at the very first contact, in Iran, you can certainly expect a welcome. This is the country where you will most often be asked if you need help without asking for it. People are the best reason to visit this country.

– How do you like their food?

– I like the food because it is diverse, full of spices, it is a bowl of indispensable rice, kebab, and Iranians love to eat fruits and vegetables. Nevertheless, the Iranians need to know that they have a great competitor in our Mediterranean cuisine.

– Given that the Iranians believe that Croats are originally from Iran, does anyone talk to you on the subject?

– You mean Harahvatia, our likely great-grandfather from old Persia? I was often approached by people and tried to start a conversation on the subject. It seemed to them and me that the thesis was suitable for closer interconnections. I have talked about it several times and with our Ambassador Drago Štambuk, he would certainly be a much more grateful interlocutor than I am for deciphering the Croatian riddle of origin.

– How do you handle the heat, but also the collapse of traffic in Iran? Do you drive a car or do you have your driver?

– After all these years, I’m immune to the heat. As for the traffic, I have a driver, I once tried to drive in Tehran myself, but I quickly realized that it was not for me. Iranian traffic taught me how to find peace in the controlled chaos in which the Iranians are doing remarkably well. It is necessary to have a lot of patience, the Iranians seem much more relaxed than we do. In late afternoon I try to avoid it anyway, if I can’t already because of work, I shorten the traffic jams by listening to various podcasts.

– Are you following the Croatian national team?

– Of course, I’m following. I am especially pleased that the experience we have evidently recently has been added to the energy brought by new players within the team. I think it’s a date that can only result in a good one. –

Do you communicate with Zlatko Dalic?

– Not really. The last time we spoke was in Doha when there was a draw for the World Cup. I wish him and our national team all the best in the World Cup.

– As a coach, how do you look at the game of Luka Modrić, who has already entered the age of 37 and do you see in which young player his successor?

– It seems an unrealistic level at which Luke plays at that age. It’s hard to pronounce the name of his successor given everything he’s done throughout his career.

– Do people in Iran remember Stanko Poklepovic, Tomislav Ivic, Miroslav Blazevic and Branko Ivankovic and Cica Kranjcar?

– Croatian coaches are certainly embedded in the identity of Iranian football. With their successes, they opened the doors of this multifaceted football country to each other. I will not be pretentious if I say that for the Iranians, the first association with Croatia is the Croatian coaches.

– How different is it now to coach the national team compared to when you were coaching at the club?

– There’s a big difference. In the national team, there is not much time for the preparation itself on the field, in the club, you have players every day, and the impact on them is much greater. The national team doesn’t have time. In the national team, good selection and a good selection of the idea of the game are important. We spend a lot of time monitoring players and analyzing rivals. Our goal is to even out a team that’s heterogeneous. Each individual player comes from a different context, and we have to create communication for our team, perfect synergy, natural collaborations between players, and a common matrix. It is not necessary for players to receive the same stimulants, but stimulants must go in the same direction, they must be designed for the same model.

– Your coaching max?

– Have no doubts about losing and don’t relax in victory. Knowing why you lost and managing your coaching ego when you’re on an upward trajectory is of great importance to the coach. It is important not to get stuck twice on the same stone, and to learn from mistakes. It must be clear to you that applause quickly turns to whistle and vice versa, it’s just an important presenter.

– ‘My Rijeka always has the upper hand’

-What is crucial for you in the game?

– Understand the game from an advantage perspective. Identify where the benefits lie and take advantage of those advantages. It is not important to dominate possession, it is important to dominate the space. Rivals at the match require flexibility.

– What do you think of the policy of our clubs selling young players to survive?

– Someone once said that the paradox is to sell young promising players ahead of time, the moment they start to show authentic value, and then to buy bad players. Young people leave too soon for clubs and agents to meet their needs. Later, the clubs are in an attempt to generate value: buy cheap, and later sell expensively. Few do. It’s a tough road to revalue players who have lost value. But when we know that it’s hard for us to get the right sponsors and the TV rights revenues are low, there’s nothing left for them to do. Surely such a policy is on shaky ground, it is all uncertain incomes, and once talent production falters or there is fallout from European competitions, you are close to a bad scenario.

– In the end, would you return to Croatia if you were invited to coach Dinamo, Hajduk, or Rijeka?

– It is logical that one day I return to Croatian football, I am not thinking about it at the moment. Of these clubs, certainly, my Rijeka would always have the advantage. –

Ansarifard struggles with AEK demanding his departure from club.

Karim Ansarifard, the Iranian striker of the Greek side,  AEK Athens, has created a situation that is leading to a confrontation with the Club. The Team Melli Captain has been placed on the surplus list of the Greek club, even though he has a contract with this team for one more season. Ansarifard has been on the surplus list since before the end of last season but has not yet chosen a new team.

Ansarifard would earn nearly half a million Euro according to his contract with AEK Athen, however, the club is unwilling to pay such a sum to a player who is out of favor and a benchwarmer. This issue has caused the surprise of the Greek media in addition to the anger of the AEK club. The betcosmos site stated that Karim Ansarifard is the hardest case of the players on the black list of AEK, and wrote: “AEK wants to get rid of the payment of half a million euros in the last year of Ansarifard’s contract. Since the beginning of the summer, this Iranian striker has been notified to find a team, but no progress has been made so far. What is surprising is the attitude of Ansarifard himself. We are in the year of the  FIFA World Cup and finding a team is the only hope of this striker to be in the national team of his country, but he is not entertaining any offers that come from inside and outside Greece.”

 

The article in this media adds: “Reports in Iran indicate that Persepolis made continuous offers to him, but his answer was always ben negative. It seems that he is not interested in playing in Iran. This Iranian striker attracted the interest of two clubs in Lamia and OFI, but it seems that Lamia got tired of waiting for him and strengthened their attack line with the purchase of Richmond Boaki. Staying in Athens seems to be the absolute priority of  Ansarifard. Here an important question arises for AEK. Will the club continue to pay a player exorbitant money to sit on the bench, or will they find another solution? Several Media outlets such as sportdog and sportime that have published this news claimed that AEK club is angry with their Iranian attacker’s attitude!

Ansarifard is married to a Greek lady and wants to remain in the Capital City.  A  big question mark is in front of Ansarifard in regards to his career in Team Melli. He has been a fringe player that makes cameo one or two appearances at the end of each game. He is way down the pecking in the forward line that is dominated by Azmoun and Taremi, as top picks. Players like Sayyadmanesh, Ghaedi,  Hosseinzadeh, and Alipour also make a strong case for inclusion in the Team Melli squad. However, it is not only his playing standard that has suffered as Ansarifard is one of those who started the rebellion against Dragan Skocic. His chances of making the 26 players’ squad for the FIFA World Cup are quite slim.

 

Skočić starts the squad preparation ahead of the trip to Austria.

Team Melli will be playing a practice match in September against one of the league teams while in its camp in September before the legionnaires join for FIFA daybreak.

According to reports, Dragan Skočić attended matches of the Iranian Premier League in the past few days and watched two matches in Tehran and Isfahan. After returning to Tehran, he had a meeting with the officials of the Football Federation and will leave for Qatar today for the training camp arrangements. During this trip, he will watch Qatar Star League QSL matches involving Iranian players. He will also meet with the Legionnaires to discuss plans. Skocic also intends to meet with the players’ club coaches.

In his recent meeting with the officials of the Football Federation, Skocic requested to hold a friendly meeting before the FIFA window for international games. According to the schedule, Team Melli team camp will start on the 12th of September with domestic players in Tehran. According to Osulli, the FFIRI spokesperson, Skocic, did not specifically name the opposition club and whether it is domestic or foreign for the practice match. but it is possible that an Iranian team that has not been selected yet, will face the national team. As a result, Team Melli will hold a friendly match between September 12th to 18th before the squad flies to Austria. Also, necessary measures are being taken to hold two friendly matches in Austria. According to Usoli, the contract with one of the rivals of the national team (Uruguay) has been signed by both sides, but the contract for the second game has been finalized. According to the officials of the Senegalese football federation and media, Iran’s second opponent will be Senegal, who will face Iran on 27th September 2022.

The match against Senegal has only been reported by Iranian media while the official Sengalese FF has not confirmed the meeting with Iran.

Progress of Team Melli legionnaires in Europe

As if the shambolic status of football is not bad enough, the disappointing news from Europe has cast a shadow on Team Melli with less than 100 days to go to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Nine key Team Melli players are engaged in the European leagues plus a possible few more candidates for selection which Dragan Skocic has been keeping a close look at.

Jahanbakhsh, Azmoun, Taremi, Ansarifard, Hajsafy, Mohammadi, and Sayyadmanesh are the main squad players in addition to Alipour who is one of the strong contenders for selection.
Apart from Mehdi Taremi who has started the new league where he left off scoring a brace in the opening match, the news of the rest has been not encouraging and in many cases quite disappointing.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh, the Captain of Team Melli has been having a tough time since he moved to Feyenoord. His chances of continuing with the famous Dutch club are slim as he is turned from a promising start to a fringe player making cameo appearances for the club. It is safe to say that Jahanbakhsh has never fulfilled his potential with Brighton and now it seems that the story is repeating itself in the Dutch league with Feyenoord.

Sardar Azmoun is a similar story in the Bundesliga. Unlike his brilliant displays and goal-scoring traits in the Russian league, the leading forward of Team Melli is finding life tough in German football as he has been struggling with Leverkusen. It will not be long before Azmoun becomes a bench player with the way things are progressing unless he drastically improves.

Mehdi Taremi has no such problem as his country teammates and seems to be enjoying his time with FC Porto who are leading the Portuguese table with 2 wins out of 2. Despite the disappointment of not being sought by major European Clubs in the transfer market as some of his teammates have succeeded in, Taremi seems to be content with doing his job in Portugal and enhancing his reputation in the process.

Allahyar Sayadmanesh who plays for the second-tier English league club has shown enough promise for the club to buy him outright after a loan spell from Fenerbahce. Hull City is leading the Championship table with two wins out of two. Sayyadmanesh is hoping to make a real impression in order for Dragan Skocic to dislodge Ansarifard and pick the young forward for the World Cup.

Karim Ansarifard’s case is perhaps the most disappointing. The Greek club AEK Athens has been having difficulty finding a buyer for the unwanted Ansarifard. It seems that the much-traveled forward is on the move again after a disappointing in the 2021/22 season where he played 29 matches but scored 4 goals only.

Milad Mohammadi and Ehsan Hajsafy seem to have better fortune with AEK Athens. Although the new season has not started yet, it seems that the club intended to keep the two Iranians in their squad for 2022/23 season.

Amir Abedzadeh is experiencing his second season with the second-tier Spanish league club Ponferradina. Although the season has not started yet, Abedzadeh played well for the team and managed to make 35 appearances for the club.

Saman Ghoddos has been perhaps the most disappointing of the lot playing for Brentford, or at least trying to play. He was an unused substitute in his club’s brilliant performance in destroying Manchester United 4-0 on Saturday. All 5 Brentford were used in the demolishing of Man Utd but Ghoddos was nowhere to be seen. He was not even on the bench for the first match against Leicester City on the opening day of the English Premier League. It seems that his days in Brentford are numbered.

Ali Alipour is another forward lurking in the shadow of the big boys of Team Melli.  The 26 years old forward has changed club this season moving to Gil Vicente in the Portuguese League. He started the new season well by scoring in the first match. Alipour is a real contender for a place on the plane to Doha comes the World Cup.

FFIRI to pay Wilmots a further 3 Million Euros

The former head of the Legal Department of the Football Federation said: “The ruling of the Wilmots case has been issued and we have to pay an amount of around 3 million euros to this coach.”

According to Mehr reporter, Safiullah Faghanpour said ” as a result of the former Team Melli coach filing a claim demanding payment of 6 million Euros in back pay and damages, FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled for the Belgian coach and order FFIRI pay Wilmott an amount of 6 million euros after, however, after FFIRI appealed against the amount, the case was sent to arbitration at CAS, which issued its verdict and the amount was reduced to 3 million Euros.

Faghanpour said: “There was a lot of concern here and everyone thought that we would be condemned in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but I consider what we achieved as a great success !!. The only case that we have won over the years in international tribunals is the Wilmots case, which was in CAS and the verdict was broken.”
Faghanpour mentioned that it (CAS) reduced the amount of Wilmots against Iran, but it could have reached about 12 million euros. Now the Supreme Sports Court has disregarded the claim and made the final payment due to the coach to less than 3 million euros.

Faghanpour claimed that this was a great success for the Federation and in a bizarre statement, claimed: “Now we have to pay an amount that is not very significant! ”  Faghanpour, who was talking to “Good Morning” TV show, was asked whether this decision on Wilmots’ case is final and official? He emphasized: “Yes, the verdict was issued. Probably, it will be announced this week. What I said is certain.”

Faghanpour then went on to congratulate himself on the victory !!! “I must congratulate the success we achieved in the Supreme Court of Sports!

The Belgian Marc Wilmott was appointed as the head coach of Team Melli in 2018 replacing Carlos Queiroz. He was in the job for less than 6 months and received 2 million euros from the Football Federation before losing to Bahrain and Iraq. Based on Faghanpour’s words, Wilmots has earned around 1 million euros each month in his short and disastrous time in Iran, yet he has the audacity to congratulate himself and the FFIRI for not paying 12 million euros as he claimed!

In contrast, The Croatian Dragan Skocic, whose contract is in local currency draws a salary of nearly US$100,000 a month, i.e. only 10% of what Wilmott’s earned.

It is a desperate time for Iran’s Football management and leadership. It seems the FFIRI as an organization attracts lots of charlatans, incompetent and inept people who do nothing but harm football and the country’s reputation, not to mention damage its finances. One person who is responsible for the Wilmotts debacle, Mehdi Taj is putting his name forward as a candidate for the Presidency of the FFIRI in the coming election next month!

 

 

The Guardian reporting on Iran’s Team Melli fading hopes.

Iran’s World Cup hopes fading amid botched sacking and squad acrimony

Iran striker Sardar Azmoun
Striker Sardar Azmoun wrote a post on Instagram professing to speak for the squad and calling for Iran’s manager to stay on until after the World Cup. It swiftly led to angry reactions from other players. Photograph: Seokyong Lee/Penta Press/Shutterstock

Team’s star players at loggerheads over future of coach Dragan Skocic, leaving optimism and preparations for Qatar in tatters

The volte-face was welcomed by Sardar Azmoun, the Bayer Leverkusen forward who retired from international football at the age of 23 in 2018 after facing heavy criticism from supporters, only to return a few months later.

“We are members of the national team of Islamic Republic of Iran,” he wrote on Instagram. “We thank Iran for the efforts and support of the government officials in the direction of all-round support for the national team. We announce that in the current situation, we will work together with the technical staff to make the hearts of the Iranian people happy in the Qatar World Cup, and trust us and the national team in this critical and short period. The World Cup should be fully supported. @teammellifootball We, the players, ask you not to change anything, let’s leave everything for after the World Cup.”

Iran players Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh celebrate qualification for the Qatar World Cup.
Mehdi Taremi (left) and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, two of the senior players who came out publicly against Azmoun’s social-media post. Photograph: Mohammad Farnood/Sipa/Shutterstock

A few hours later, Mehdi Taremi – the Porto striker who scored a brilliant overhead kick against Chelsea that was voted Champions League goal of the season in 2021 – responded with an angry message that said Azmoun had spoken out “without consent” and “against our wishes”.

“It is disrespectful to the national team to issue statements in the name of the national team based on the personal interests of some players and causing the team to be divided,” he wrote. “Denying the current difficult situation that the national team is facing only increases the mountain of our problems.”

Taremi’s message was shared and liked by the captain, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, the former Brighton forward who plays for Feyenoord, and several other senior players. Taremi, Jahanbakhsh, and the AEK Athens duo Ehsan Hajsafi and Karim Ansarifard had been among a group of senior players who met the Iranian sports minister during their training camp in Qatar last month to demand that Skocic be removed from his post.

Iran’s manager Dragan Skocic
Iran’s Croat manager Dragan Skocic, who was sacked and then reinstated. Photograph: Getty Images

“They would never have dared to do something like that to Carlos Queiroz,” says Shaygan Banisaeid, a coach for Arsenal’s Football in the Community scheme who came to England from Iran in 2019, referencing the national team’s former coach. “After that, the team went into two groups. One led by Azmoun, with the younger players who have been given their chance by Skocic and are happy with him. Then there are the more experienced players with European experience who want to make a change. Unity used to be one of the team’s biggest strengths but we don’t have that any more.”

Elections for president take place on 30 August and Skocic’s position is expected to come under more pressure before the next training camp in September. Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solsjkær has been among those linked to the post along with Ali Daei, the former striker who saw Cristiano Ronaldo take his all-time international goalscoring record last year, even though Daei has not managed for three years and has said he is not interested in taking over.

Queiroz is Iran’s longest-serving manager after leading them to creditable World Cup campaigns in Russia, where they only just missed out on the last 16 after drawing with his native Portugal, and Brazil. He is available having left his post with Egypt despite leading them to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in February, although many feel nationality could count against Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant.

“This is the opinion that some people have,” says Banisaeid. “They believe that the Iranian government wants to play at the World Cup against its political opponents England and USA with an Iranian coach so they can show that we are a proud nation fighting against our big rivals with our own people.

“It’s a big dilemma: can they continue with Dragan Skoic if he isn’t going to be able to unite the players? asks Banisaeid, who has also coached at Fulham and Middlesbrough. “This will be our third World Cup in a row and there was lots of optimism when we saw the draw that this could be a good chance to get through the group. Even though some people may have underestimated the USA and Wales, everyone thought we could do something in Qatar. But now everyone is so disappointed and there is not much hope among the public. It’s heartbreaking for the nation.”

Skočić: ” I am not worried about my future on Team Melli bench”

Dragan Skočić, in an interview with the Varzesh TV program this Friday morning, said ” the conditions of the national team in Bahrain in the World Cup qualifiers were quite stressful.  I have to admit that it was a really difficult situation because we could not afford to lose even a single point. It was difficult to maintain our focus and we had to deal with various complex conditions.”

Commenting on the training camp, preparations, friendly matches, and the forthcoming game against Uruguay: ” You should know that I gave a plan to the federation three months ago and asked them to consider the best teams for the preparatory game. Teams that are on a similar level and conditions to our opponents in the World Cup. I don’t want to fuel rumors now either. I have been told that the match with Uruguay has been confirmed.”  He continued: ” What is important for us is to be able to prepare our players in the best condition possible and to be able to go to Qatar with full preparation. I have not suggested any team for friendly matches. As a head coach, I should not suggest a team. That’s why I left this choice in the hands of the federation.”

In response to the question of whether he made breakfast mandatory for all the players, the head coach of Team Melli said: ” If breakfast was the only problem, it shows that the rest of the things were carried out correctly. We were able to pull off the fastest qualification to the World Cup in the history of Iran, now why do they focus on breakfast!? ” Skočić continued: “Definitely, players should not make decisions about things like breakfast, they should focus on their real work, about how to improve and correct their shortfalls. The expectation from the players is to show their best performance in training and games.”

On the group opponents in the World Cup: “Our first opponent is England, everything is clear about this team. We must step into the field with faith and high motivation. Wales has many similarities to England in terms of players. physical and style of play. These two teams are very good.  I think some might believe that the American team is a below-strength former team, but this team has changed a lot. We have to prepare for three important and difficult games.”

On the question that Skočić invited too many players to the camp, he responded: ” There are talks about the previous camp, which was an exception. Due to some problems, I had to invite a large number, but in the next camp, the number will be standard. At the beginning of the camp, we will invite some domestic league players for the pre-camp. In this sense, maybe the number of players will be more than the standard model. ”
“Will you invite new players to the team?” was another question asked “, ” It is my duty to see the players of different clubs. I will travel to Turkey to watch our Iranian players playing there. I have always tried to invite the best players who are in form to the camp. I have to invite players to the camp who understand my wishes,” continued Skočić, who spoke to Channel Five TV’s stadium program.

” I have to analyze and check all the issues before allowing a player to don a Team Melli jersey. I don’t think the presence of this number of players will harm the coordination of the team. I know a lot about the players. Every player who was invited had a reason. It is my duty to invite players I deem fit.”

Regarding why he is not happy compared to the past, Skočić said: ” One of the reasons is the rumors I keep hearing. I have spent my whole life in football. I try to keep a positive attitude all the time. Let’s look back at the qualification we accomplished. Look how much some outside elements wanted to knock us down. But now, I also have an internal dragon that has been active within the team. Ever since I took over the responsibility of the national team, you have seen the leadership instability that has been experienced in the football federation. Put the chaos of the squad next to the chaos of the federation administration, it will probably realize how much energy I had to put into controlling the team. It was a near impossible mission”

Regarding the meeting with the technical committee and if he is worried about the future, he said: ” I have not had a meeting with the technical committee. This is an unacceptable issue. If a technical committee believed there are shortcomings or problems in my work or the squad, they should have discussed it with me and listened to what is really happening to the team before they pass judgment. It is not right that they judge unilaterally. This is flawed judgment and inappropriate.” 

Skočić continued: ” I take responsibility for the team and I have accepted all the pressures. I have spent my whole life under the pressure of football and I emphasize that I take full responsibility for the team’s failures.  Just as you wrote the results of the previous matches in my name, write the results of the next games in my name. ”

On Team Melli’s tactics and style in the World cup against strong opponents ranked above Iran in the FIFA Ranking, Skočić said: “Be rest assured that I am not doing something childish. We will play each game aiming for a good result. We are not going to play 100% offensive football while not having anything to do with defense. We want to create balance in the team. We want to perform at our best. We have to attack and create opportunities in front of each of these teams and not just defend.”

Dragan Skočić said about the support given to him by Iranian football stars: ” After all, I am also human and you will feel good when you are supported and appreciated. I am trying to improve myself and I want to bear this pressure so that I can make the best thing happen for the Iranian national team. How many people talk about me without even knowing me and without any shred of evidence?  this is not acceptable at all. I can be much better if there is more support.”

Skočić answered a question about the selection of the captain: ” You are now dragging us to talk about rumors. The tradition is that the most experienced player is the Captain. Each of the national team players who wear the national team shirt must be a captain because they represent a nation. Definitely, and especially less experienced players should have this mentality.”

“Respect for values must be maintained by Team Melli players” says Yeke

In an interview with Mehr sports reporter, Morteza Yeke commenting on the current conditions of Team Melli these days, said: “Our football is going through difficult times. Every day we hear some sad news. I hope the management of the federation can fix this situation. ” The former Team Melli player continued: “The head coach of the national team should not allow players to dominate, he should have strong character and man management abilities in order to be successful in the World Cup.”

Criticizing the performance of the technical committee of the FFIRI, he said: “the so-called technical committee’s duties are clear and well defined. They should offer the best support for Team Melli, but unfortunately, we didn’t see any worthwhile action from the technical committee except for the sacking of Dragan Skočić, without offering the public any particular reason.”

Morteza Yeke expressed his regrets on the differences between the players of the national team: “Unfortunately, this has been happening in our football for several years. The player must know his limits. Understand why he is on the team and in what capacity. The jersey of the national team is sacred and should be worn by those who strive to serve the nation and work hard for the success of the national team, not to serve their self-interests.”  The Former Iranian football player also noted: “Now is not the time for differences. The opportunity is easily missed and with each passing day, we are getting closer to the World Cup. Therefore, the players should only focus on training hard to the start of the World Cup, any head coach should not allow the players to interfere in his work or comment on issues that do not concern them.”

“This trend is quite disturbing with Iranian players nowadays. Players who frequently protest at referees and get away with it, now dare to interfere with their coaches too”

Mehdi Taremi, from hero to villain!

From the moment it was announced that Adel Ferdosipour had interviewed Mehdi Tarimi and that this discussion was going to be broadcast in cyberspace, it was clear that some of his statements would become controversial, divisive, and might very well create friction in the team and fans for a long time. As much as Taremi’s value as a striker is undeniable, his controversial talking is harmful to himself! In this case, the predictions came true and some of the topics raised by Taremi became the center of attention, criticism, and various conflicting opinions. He has already managed to create divisiveness & sedition.

This player, who had taken a stand against Dragan Skočić, becoming the spokesman for some other players as well, questioned Skocic’s competence in a conversation with Ferdosipour. Taremi criticized the exclusion of and then the U-turn of Esteghlal players from the Team Melli camp and then claimed that in the past year, far too many players have been selected for Team Melli !, which is not a good thing to say. These statements had wide repercussions amongst the stakeholders in Iranian football, which were mostly negative.

Who are you, What position are you in?

Some of Tarami’s statements might be merited but some are not. But here, the criticism of the speaker is more important than the content of the speech. Basically, no player in the world’s professional football should give himself the right to openly and candidly take a position against the Coaching staff and particularly the Leader, the head coach.

If this issue becomes a normal procedure, no stone will be left unturned. It is really rare and rare that even the greatest players in the world of football have taken such positions against their coaches. You don’t see this behavior from Messi and Ronaldo either. Didn’t Paris Saint-Germain have a few failures? Have you ever heard Kylian Mbappe criticize his coach as the best player on this team?

The crossroads of Skocic.

Even if Tarami’s efforts to dismiss Skočić were successful, the story would not be over, because in this case, the next coach to take over, would have to be approved by him in order to survive. is that the correct thing for a football team? Skocic’s difficult dilemma is now on how to deal with the issue of Mehdi Taremi, and to a lesser extent Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Ehsan Hajsafi.  Dragan Skočić has now faced a big predicament. That he does not invite these players and significantly reduces the Team’s foundation in the World Cup, or that he pleads ignorance to the fact that there are players who don’t respect him and might spread the bad word in the camp.  in which case his authority will be questioned even more. All this could not exist if Tarami maintained his sense of responsibility and did not utter those unnecessary words.

Mehdi Taremi has proved through the few years that he has a behavior problem. His action on the field doesn’t reflect his age. His famous dismissal in the Champions League was when he kicked the ball away a few minutes after he was awarded a yellow card. This typified his immaturity and lack of emotional control. Despite his popularity amongst the Porto fans, Taremi is probably the most hated player in the Portuguese league. He is famous for his diving and deception of referees and is the subject of many reporters’ criticism for lack of sportsmanship.

Is Taremi an Asset or Liability?

Right now, looking at the picture, it looks like Mehdi Taremi is a risk and a dangerous element in the Team Melli camp. Thinking that he will change his attitude and mentality in a few days or months is simply impossible. He has a lot of grudge against Skočić starting from day one.  His exclusion from the team is not going to be disastrous for Iran with the presence of Sardar Azmoun to spearhead the offensive line. The problem is the exclusion of Jahanbakhsh.

In any case, Skočić must choose between discipline, values, and respect or act as if nothing has happened and call Taremi back in the hope of better things.

How is more valuable for team Melli?

A comparison table on the performance of Azmoun and Daei for reference

Sardar Azmoun Mehdi Taremi
Age 27 30
Club Bayer Leverkusen FC Porto
No of seasons in Europe 15 6
Foreign leagues Russia & Germany Qatar & Portugal
Games played 217 243
Goals scored 86 125
Yellow card 38 32
Red Cards 2 4
League title 3 1
TEAM MELLI
Matches 63 58
Seasons 9 8
goals scored 40 29
Yellow card 10 8
Red Cards 0 0

What should happen now in Team Melli.

Mirshad Majedi and the rest of the board members of the federation, after a long and winding meeting , decided on the status quo and that the incumbent head coach of Team Melli shall remain in charge up to the FIFA World Cup 2022 and beyond.

That was the best decision possible under the circumstances and taken for the sake of Team Melli with crucial days left up to the world cup. Majedi did not succumb to pressure exerted mainly by the Minister of Sport and some other elements who were influenced by a group of Team Melli players.

To be clear, the categorical refusal of Ali Daei to take over from Skocic despite several attempts or pleas, was the catalyst in Skocic’s survival. There were no alternative viable options and the conditions of Team Melli would have been disastrous if Skocic was sacked.

Despite reaching the wisest decisions possible by the FFIRI leadership, the problem with Team Melli is far from over. There must be action by the FFIRI to eliminate the rebels in the squad else these disruptive elements will make the Croat job impossible in Qatar. There is no doubt among many experts that some players will not be happy with this decision while some begrudgingly will tag along.

Hamid Estili’s position

The man that should support Team Melli’s coaching staff has taken a side and worked against Skocic. He was a member of the Technical Committee that decided that the Croat is not qualified as a coach of Team Melli.  Hamid Estili must accept his poor insight and should resign his post immediately to save face. Estili however, is a man of thousand faces and changes positions in a blink. He will try to weasel his way out of this situation, however, it is better for the federation to sack him from the job before he inflicts damage.

The rebel players.

Including the rebel players who are led by Mehdi Taremi in the squad for the World Cup is a serious risk. In addition to Taremi, there are players such as Karim Ansarifard, Ehsan Haj Safy, and Saeid Ezatollahi, with some mention of Alireza Jahanbaksh being in this rebellion group.

No doubt that Jahanbakhsh and Taremi are key players and getting rid of them could be a disadvantage to Team Melli. Their experience and abilities are undeniable, however, much depends on how Skocic will perceive these players and likewise the player’s comfort level with the coach, especially after some bad feelings made publicly by some of them.

It is a difficult formula and there must be a middle-of-the-road solution. Keeping all the rebel players is certainly a risk. From the track record,  Skocic does not score high in the discipline department. He is not like Daei or Queiroz both of who are no-nonsense coaches and have no time for indiscipline. So, controlling the rebels and their effect on the whole squad could be a difficult task for him. The leadership of the football federation must come to his support and coordinate with the coaching staff and in consultation with Karim Bagheri, who was an assistant coach until lately when Persepolis pulled him back,  should come up with the right decision.

One school of thought believes that some of the rebel players are dispensable and could be thrown out as an example to the rest, while the two most valuable of them should be kept under strict behavioral restrictions and maintained discipline. The reputation and name of Iran especially at such a level of competition are far greater than the interest of some players never mind what European league they are playing in.

If a player is selected to represent his country, he has no right to decide who the coach is and must give 100% to the team under whichever coach is appointed, period.