The deputy head of IFF has spoken about the long due appointment of a Team Melli Manager.
In a short interview with Iranian News agency , Mehr , Hadi Ayotollahei , the first deputy Head of Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation IRIFF announced that a Manager for Team Melli will be shortly appointed. Ayotollahei added that even Carlos Queiroz, the Team Melli head coach is now convinced that his team requires a dedicated manager who would be handling many administrative issues and tasks that is currently being handled by the head coach or person delegated by him. Since the appointment of the ex-Real Madrid coach as head coach of Iran national football team, no one has been appointed as a Team Manager. The post has been left vacant since the last one left right after the conclusion of the Asian Cup in January 2011. The last person to occupy the position of Team Melli Manager was Asghar Hajilo working beside Afshin Ghotbi.
The post is traditionally an administrative position which has always been part of the Team Melli structure and normally occupied by famous ex-Team Melli players or ex-coaches.
Hadi Ayotollahei also indicated that the appointment of Team Melli Manager is the sole responsibility of the head of IRIFF , Ali Kaffashian and absolutely no one, and that includes the head coach of Team Melli, has the right to object or impose his demands on this appointment
Questioned about the repetitive travelling of Queiroz out of Iran , Hadi Ayotollahei said that this leave of absence is authorized by the Head of the federation. He denied that there is any discrepancy in the leave days of the Head coach as claimed by some media and emphasized that the coach leave entitlement is very clear and transparent. Ayotollahei, however, declined to disclose any figures of days entitled to the Portuguese coach. The deputy head of IRIFF also dismissed allegations that the head coach is always absent from Iran especially during active league days by claiming that the technical cadre of Team Melli are currently monitoring the Hazfi Cup matches !.
The reporter asked Hadi Ayotollahei if there is any truth in what some sources has claimed of an ongoing dispute between Queiroz and the official Kits supplier of Iran’s National football teams , in which Queiroz has been demanding a separate & additional fee for donning the official kit. Ayotollahei denied any knowledge of such issue and emphasized that there are much urgent and important matters for the federation to attend to as opposed to discussing such trivial matters.
Asked if there is more stability now since the hostile attacks by the media on the federation for their weak performance and disappointing Team Melli results, Ayotollahei said that without stability , there will be no progress in Iran’s football. He also denied that there is any intention by the incumbent Head of IRIFF to step down in the upcoming general assembly meeting. Kaffashian’s resignation has been rumored in many circles after the unsatisfactory Team Melli results which are threatening yet another failure to qualify to the World Cup.