TEHRANTIMES - Persepolis football club has started negotiation with former Team Melli coach Afshin Ghotbi to replace under fire Hamid Derakhshan according to a report in Iranian newspaper Khabar Varzeshi.

“Persepolis officials called me and I’ve presented my plans until the AFC Champions League final,” Ghotbi told the Iranian daily.

The last time Persepolis has won the Iran Professional League was in 2007–08 when Ghotbi led them to the glory.

Persepolis current coach Derakhshan is under real pressure after earning just three points from the last five matches.

After winning against arch rival Esteghlal in the 15th round of domestic league, Persepolis failed to get a win in five consecutive matches, losing all of them.

Derakhshan, who replaced Ali Daei in September 2014, has a 35.39% winning record in 17 matches (6W, 4D, 7L).

Former Iran coach Branko Ivankovic is another candidate to replace Derakhshan.