TEHRANTIMES - Former Persepolis and Shimizu S-Pulse manager has been linked with Iran national team vacant job after rumors suggested that Carlos Queiroz didn’t reach an agreement with Iran Football Federation.

Ghotbi, who was fired as the head coach of first division J. League club Shimizu S-Pulse last month, is currently  without a team but has offers from Japan, South Korea and China. He led Persepolis to the title in 2006-07 season in his first year in charge with the red giant unable to repeat this success since then.

In an interview with Fars News Agency, Ghotbi discussed his conditions and rumors linking him with Iran job. Following are excerpts of the interview:

Mr. Ghotbi, Iranian media has been linking you with Iran and Persepolis job these days, what is your opinion?

I’ve had a lot of good memories in Iran and all the Iranian fans remain in my heart. After three and a half years I still receive kind messages from Persepolis fans. I will be ready to help my country whenever they need me but neither the IFF nor Persepolis have contacted me.


Do you have any other offers?

Yes I have some offers from China, Japan and South Korea but I’m waiting for the season to finish and then a decision will be made.

Since you left Team Melli, Ashkan Dejagah and Reza Goochannejhad have been added. What is your opinion?

I discovered Ghoochannejhad. I travelled to Netherlands to watch him play. We wanted him to play for the national team but it never happened. I was also in contact with Ashkan Dejagah's father and coach but it did not work out for him to play for Iran. If I had Goochannejhad and Dejagah in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup I would have definitely led Iran to the title.