The former Captain of Team Melli, Mehdi Mahdavikia , denied being offered the job of Team Melli Manager post by the football federation.

The post is currently vacant , as practically was since the departure of Afshin Ghotbi , the last coach before Queriroz. Mehdi MohammadNabi , the secretary-general of the football federation , was temporarily appointed in the post until such time a suitable person was found to take over. Neither that was achieved during Queiroz’s time nor Mohammad Nabi did a sterling job of it , leaving the team with no supervisor nor adminstration in critical times..

Mahdavikia was asked by ISNA if he would accept the post if offered by FFIRI, he emphatically said “No.”. When quizzed further, the former Captain of the Team Melli and the scorer of Iran’s second goal goal in its  only victory in the World Cup against USA, said that he is currently supervising the youth teams and he wished continue doing so. Mahdavikia continued by stating that he would prefer to work at younger ages levels for the time being. Mahdavikia was praised by many , including the youth teams coach Ali Doustimeher for the grand job he has done with the young Team Melli players including arranging of a succesful training camp in Germany utilizing Mahdavikia’s strong connections and respect he has in Germany, where he spend the larger part of his professional career.

Mahdavikia player for VfL Bochum ,  Hamburger SV  and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga before returning to Iran playing for Steel Azin , Damash and finally Persepolis. His record total matches of 252 Bundesliga games & 29 goals from right after the World Cup in 1998 to 2010  is by far the highest achieved by an Iranian Legionnaire in Europe.

On his coaching future, Mahdavikia said that he will continue his current job for two month before attending a coaching course in Germany.

The reporter asked Mahdavikia on his views that Karim will be joining Queiroz as an assistant , a rumor that Ali Karimi strongly denied, Mahdavikia thought it was agood idea ! “Karimi can be an asset for Team Melli. It seems like a good idea ans they both have a close relationship.”

The degree of sarcasm was not clear in Mahdavikia’s last statement.

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