The camp of Team Melli at Corinthians , Sao Paulo , witnessed a strange turn of events. Carlos Queiroz , talking to Iranian journalists said that some people in Iran have been against his continuation with Team Melli job, and when he returns home , meaning Iran , he will expose them to the public !
Meanwhile , Kaffashian in the same venue , said that Queiroz has two main demands to continue with Team Melli , provision of equipment for Team Melli training , and increase in his pay package. “If the government is ready to support us financially , as promised , then we will have the right conditions for Queiroz to continue with Team Melli. Of course we want to re-sign him for three additional years rather than six month.” Kaffashian said today.
Between the cryptic statement of Queiroz and Kaffashian’s umpteen times call for a government handout, it seems that the Portuguese coach had a change of heart. Only a few days ago, it was the same Queiroz who told a Portuguese reporter in an interview, that his relations with Iran will come to an end by the conclusion of the World Cup. Queiroz also confirmed that he is close to signing a agreement with yet to be named African country to take over the job of managing their national team. The only clue he gave to the Portuguese reporter is that this African team has many players in European leagues. The Iranian media misinterpreted the African team and reported that Queiroz is signing with South Africa, which Queiroz again denied today.
In hindsight, it appears that what is publicly announced is quite different to reality and what goes on behind the closed doors. There must be some kind of negotiation going on between Kaffashian and Queiroz , despite the denial by the Portuguese coach. It seems that as a result of the two matches already played in the World Cup, a sudden euphoria of emotions has been generated in Iran. It is a game changer with the situation dramatically turning towards Queiroz who, in turn, is holding the federation at ransom now. The talk of providing extra equipment is simply a farce and nothing but a cover for the most important condition of Queiroz and that is a hefty pay rise that Kaffashian has repeatedly said that FFIRI cannot afford to pay.
It is anyone’s guess what is going on with Queiroz and his job as head coach of Team Melli. Our guess is that a lot will depend on the outcome of Wednesday’s match against Bosnia. A win for Team Melli will make him a national hero and create an unprecedented joy and emotion with demands for Queiroz to stay on whatever it takes. The government PR machine , realizing the importance of football among the masses , and already committed to financing Team Melli , will surely oblige.
It will be interesting few days. Guessing what will happen to Queiroz is as risky as betting on the FIFA 2014 World Cup.
The field of play is certainly not level.