Barq signs trainer Zolfaqar-Nassab

IRNA - Veteran trainer Bijan Zolfaqar-Nassab reached an agreement with Barq, announced the provincial football club managing director Friday.

Khalil Salehi added Zolfaqar-Nassab will take the helm of Barq as manager in the sixth Iran Pro League.

The coach agreed to coach the team next season in a meeting attended by the deputy minister of energy and club's directorate head Thursday.

Zolfaqar-Nassab is scheduled to start work on June 7, said the official adding former Saipa head coach will sign a contract with his club Sunday.

According to the agreement, Zolfaqar-Nassab introduces an assistant coach and the club also picks up the second, whose qualification should be approved by the newly installed manager.

Zolfaqar-Nassab is among the experienced trainers of the country, said Salehi vowing his presence will help Barq make great success in the sixth edition.

The managing director added the new trainer reserves the right to choose players for next season.

Zolfaqar-Nassab is a replacement for Croat manager Zlatko Ivankovic, brother of national trainer Branko.

Barq escaped relegation in the last weeks, finishing 14th on meager 28 points in the 16-strong table.

National automaker Saipa surprisingly sacked Zolfaqar-Nassab two weeks from the league when the side lost his hopes for clinching the title.

Saipa stood third while the capital's Esteqlal lifted the trophy and Pas finished runner-up.