Tag: Miroslav BLAZEVIC

Legendary Croatian Coach Branko Ivanković Announces Retirement

Zagreb, Croatia – According to a report from Croatian sports media outlet Sportklub, Branko Ivanković, one of Croatia’s most successful international coaches, has decided to retire after a storied coaching career spanning more than three decades.

The 71-year-old, who will turn 72 soon, recently gathered a group of close colleagues he worked with during his tenures in Oman and China and announced his decision at a luncheon. After years of dedication to the touchline for both clubs and national teams, Ivanković stated it was time to rest and prioritize his personal life.

“Enough is enough,” Ivanković told tportal. “These years are no longer the time to travel and wander around the world. Now I want to spend more time with my family, friends, and of course, myself.”

A Storied and Peripatetic Career

Ivanković’s managerial journey has been both long and illustrious. His career includes leading clubs such as Varteks (now Varaždin), Rijeka, Dinamo Zagreb, Hannover 96 (Germany), Persepolis (Iran), Shandong Luneng (China), Al Ahli, Al Wahda, and Al Ittifaq (Saudi Arabia).

His success was not limited to the club level. He also managed four different national teams, most notably serving as an assistant coach to Miroslav Blažević when Croatia sensationally won the bronze medal at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

His achievements cemented his reputation as a trophy-winner. He secured league titles with Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia), Shandong Luneng (China), and most notably with Iran’s Persepolis, where he led the team to five consecutive league championships. This historic feat introduced the term “Gelat” (meaning a quintuple of consecutive titles) into the lexicon of Iranian football.

A Gentleman and a Reformer in Iran

Ivanković first arrived in Iran as an assistant to the legendary Croatian coach Miroslav “Ćiro” Blažević. After Blažević’s departure, Ivanković was offered the head coach position of Team Melli, a role that would define his legacy.

During his tenure, he was widely respected for his dignified, gentlemanly demeanor. He navigated the complex politics of Iranian football with skill and stood firmly against corrupt elements with grace and integrity. A testament to his principled stance was his refusal to succumb to pressure for favoritism towards the two traditional Tehran giants, Persepolis and Esteghlal. Ivanković insisted on selecting players for the national team based solely on competence and merit.

He is considered the first coach in Iran’s modern history to break the duopoly of these two clubs on national team selection. In a landmark shift, the 2004 Asian Cup squad featured more players from Foolad Khuzestan than from any other club—a previously unheard-of practice that underscored his commitment to meritocracy.

In his dealings with the media, he was consistently respectful, maintaining his positions without being controversial or forceful, which further earned him the admiration of fans and journalists alike.

A Lasting Legacy in Iranian Football

Ivanković’s connection with Iran is a defining chapter of his career. He was first appointed head coach of the Iranian national team in January 2002, leading the U-23 side to a gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan later that year.

Despite his popularity, his initial tenure was brief. After being replaced in late 2002, public and media pressure led to his reappointment in October 2003.

Under his leadership, Team Melli flourished:

  • He guided Iran to a third-place finish at the 2004 AFC Asian Cup.
  • He successfully secured Iran’s qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

At the 2006 World Cup, Iran faced a tough group. After narrow losses to Mexico and Portugal, they earned a single point in a 1-1 draw with Angola, finishing at the bottom of their group.

Following the tournament, a change in the Iranian Football Federation’s leadership led to his replacement. This move, deemed political interference by FIFA, resulted in a temporary suspension for Iran’s football federation.

Despite the World Cup exit, his record with Iran remains impressive. Over two spells, he managed 56 games, winning 33, drawing 14, and losing only 9, giving him a remarkable winning percentage of 58.93%.

With his retirement, the football world bids farewell to a true globetrotting coach whose tactical acumen, unwavering principles, and gentlemanly conduct left a lasting mark from Europe to Asia.

Miroslav “Ćiro” Blažević, former Team Melli coach passes away.

Miroslav Blažević, the former head coach of the Croatian national football team, who won third place in the  World Cup 1998 with this team, has passed away. Blažević became the head coach of Team Melli.  in charge of the Iranian national team, but he could not lead this team to the 2002 World Cup.

Ćiro accepted an offer to lead the Iranian national team midway through the 2002 World Cup qualification process. Coming in ahead of the final qualifying round, he quickly developed a following among many of the Iranian fans. Ćiro kept the 3–5–2 formation that Iran had played with previously in the 96 Asian Cup, in which the Iranian national team had won third place. He also introduced new players to Team Melli such as Rahman Rezaei, Javad Nekounam, and Ebrahim Mirzapour. Known as a loudmouth and showman, Blažević stayed true to form by claiming he would hang himself from the goalposts if Iran failed to beat Ireland in the deciding qualification playoff for the 2002 World Cup.[16] Ireland won 2–1 on aggregate, the defeat that marked the end of Blažević’s time in Iran as his assistant Branko Ivanković took over.

According to the Croatian website vecernji, Blajević battled prostate cancer for a long time but ultimately lost the battle.

Blažević was supposed to celebrate his 88th birthday tomorrow. This coach had experience not only in the Iranian national team but also in the Mes Kerman team in 2011.

He is always remembered fondly by the players in the early 2000 era as a colorful character and a tactician.

God bless his soul.

Team Melli Head Coach

Queiroz’S cryptic message!

Carlos Queiroz has sent a cryptic message to the Iranian football community, with a motive that is far from prudent and borders a malicious act!

In a message published on the official FFIRI website, Queiroz praised coaches such Amir Ghalenoei, Javad Nekounam and Mehdi Mahdavikia.

In his message, he said “Football is a game were people have different opinions, and we , the football family, learn that in this game, whether we agree or disapprove on some points, we still have respect for each other. I always admire the courage and valor of my fellow professionals when they rise up and fight for the principles and values that protect the interests of football. For example: Ali Parvin, Ali Daei, Amir Ghalenoei, Winfred Shaefar, Javad Nekounam, Yahya Golmohammadi, Hossein Kalani, Mehdi Mahdavi Kia and Vahid Hashemian. If there is a name in this list of “high courage and personality” that I have missed, accept my apology.

There is very little doubt in any one close to the affairs of Iranian football that this is another dig by Queiroz against his nemesis Branko Ivankovic. However, the timing of this message seems to be strange, especially when Queiroz and his squad are less than a month from the AFC Asian Cup. Queiroz has always demanded peace and tranquil atmosphere during his preparations with Team Melli but such message is not exactly what he preaches, and clearly intended to score a point in his long running dispute with the Croat coach of Persepolis.

Persepolis club with its influence and popularity is fundamental in the support and success of Team Melli. With its massive fan base and supporters across Iran and beyond, the majority of whom have clearly sided with their coach and shouted slogans against Queiroz, this message and exclusion of Branko Ibankovic name from the list of dedicated servant of Iranian football, is ill-timed.

The Croat coach who has served as assistant coach to Miroslav “Ćiro” Blažević and then  head coach of Team Melli twice, taking Iran to the World Cup in 2006, winning the Asian Games Gold medal and winning third place in Asian Cup 2004 in China, he remains one of the most decorated coaches of Team melli. Branko Ivankoivic is undoubtedly a candidate of any such list

Team Melli Coaches stats : Where does Queiroz stands?

Carlos Queiroz joined Team Melli as the head coach after signing  a two-and-a-half-year deal  on 4th April 2011, Queiroz.

Queiroz First match was a friendly against a lowly African Team Madagascar on 17th Jul 2011 that ended in 1-0 win in Azadi. His last match with Iran was the World Cup Groep F against Bosnia-Herzegovina which ended in a 3-1 defeat.

 In total , Team Melli played 40 international games under Queiroz , and his results are as follows:was the coach for 

 

P W D L GF GA GD
Queiroz 40 20 13 7 73 28 45

The matches were in these competitions

World Cup:                       3
World Cup Qualifiers     16
Asian Cup Qualifiers      5
Friendlies                       13
Others                              3

 

The winning percentage of Querioz is 50% 

During the 2 1/2 years reign of Queiroz  and 40 matches played, only 4 opponents were above Iran in the FIFA ranking , Argentina , Bosnia , Tunisia and South Korea in 2012.

Achievements:

Queiroz managed to qualify Team Melli to the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Queiroz managed to qualify Team Melli to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup

 

Post Revolution Team Melli coaches winning percentage

Coaches with 10 matches or more are selected

Rank Coach Name Nationality Winning %
1 Hassan HABIBI Iran 64.29%
2 Ali Daei Iran 64.00%
3 Mohammad MAYELI-KOHAN Iran 60.00%
4 Branko IVANOKOVIC Croatia 58.93%
5 Amir Ghalenoei Iran 58.82%
6 Jalal TALEBI Iran 56.00%
7 Afshin Ghotbi USA 53.33%
8 Mansour POURHAIDARI Iran 52.63%
9 Miroslav BLAZEVIC Croatia 52.63%
10 Parviz DEHDARI Iran 50.00%
11 Carlos Queiroz Portugal 50.00%
12 Ali PARVIN Iran 43.90%
13 Nasser EBRAHIMI Iran 40.00%

 

 

 

Highest number of matches won is by Branko Ivankovic winning 33 out of 56 matches , followed by Mayeli-Kohan who won 24 out of 40.

The least number of losses while by Team Melli in the same list above was achieved by Amir Ghalenoei losing 1 match in 17  (5.88%) followed by Hassan Habibi losing 1 match in 14 (7.14%). Queiroz losses were 7 out of 40 (17.5%)

The Worst number of losses by a coach is by Ali Parvin who lost 12 matches in 41 or 30%.

 

World Cup Finals

Excluding the first World Cup in 1978 where only 16 teams made it to the finals , the rest of the three participation shows that 2014 was the no improvement on the other two. It is the only tournement that Iran managed to score 1 goal only. FIFA World Cup 1998, remains Iran’s best performance and result so far.   

 

Year Coach P W D L GF GA GD win % GF per match GA per match
1978 Mohajerani 3 0 1 2 2 8 -6 0 0.66 2.66
1998 Talebi 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 0.33 0.66 1.33
2006 Ivankovic 3 0 1 2 2 6 -4 0 0.66 2
2014 Queiroz 3 0 1 2 1 4 -3 0 0.33 1.33

 

 

 

 

 

World Cup qualifications

Coaches who managed to qualify Team Melli for the World Cup.

  • Valdir VIERRA 1998
  • Branko IVANKOVIC 2006
  • Carlo Queiroz 2014

 

Longest serving Coaches

 

  1. Ali Parvin -From 1st Nov-1989 to 28th -Oct-1993  – 1457 days
  2. Branko Ivankovic –  two different spells total of 1208 days
  3. Carlos Queiroz – from 4th April 2011 to 26th June 2014 total of  1179 days

 

Best Offensive records coach

 # Name Nationality Matches GF GA GD GF Avg
1 Hassan HABIBI Iran 14 43 8 35 3.07
2 Mohamad MAYELI-KOHAN Iran 40 109 27 82 2.73
3 Branko IVANOKOVIC Croatia 56 115 52 63 2.05
4 Mansour POURHAIDARI Iran 19 36 19 17 1.89
5 Carlos Queiroz Portugal 40 74 28 46 1.85
6 Amir Ghalenoei Iran 17 30 12 18 1.76
7 Ali Daei Iran 25 44 15 29 1.76
8 Jalal TALEBI Iran 25 41 21 20 1.64
9 Miroslav BLAZEVIC Croatia 19 31 20 11 1.63
10 Parviz DEHDARI Iran 24 37 12 25 1.54
11 Ali PARVIN Iran 41 62 36 26 1.51
12 Nasser EBRAHIMI Iran 10 14 8 6 1.40
13 Afshin Ghotbi USA 30 39 27 12 1.30

 

Best Defensive records coach

 # Name Nationality Matches GF GA GD GF Avg GA Avg
1 Parviz DEHDARI Iran 24 37 12 25 1.54 0.50
2 Hassan HABIBI Iran 14 43 8 35 3.07 0.57
3 Ali Daei Iran 25 44 15 29 1.76 0.60
4 Mohamad MAYELI-KOHAN Iran 40 109 27 82 2.73 0.68
5 Carlos Queiroz Portugal 40 74 28 46 1.85 0.70
6 Amir Ghalenoei Iran 17 30 12 18 1.76 0.71
7 Nasser EBRAHIMI Iran 10 14 8 6 1.40 0.80
8 Jalal TALEBI Iran 25 41 21 20 1.64 0.84
9 Ali PARVIN Iran 41 62 36 26 1.51 0.88
10 Afshin Ghotbi USA 30 39 27 12 1.30 0.90
11 Branko IVANOKOVIC Croatia 56 115 52 63 2.05 0.93
12 Mansour POURHAIDARI Iran 19 36 19 17 1.89 1.00
13 Miroslav BLAZEVIC Croatia 19 31 20 11 1.63 1.05

 

 

GF = Goals For

GA = Goals Against

GD= Goal Diffrence    (GF – GA)

GF Avg = Average goal scored per match

GA Avg = Average goal conceded per match