TehranTimes - Iranian media reported that Croatian coach Igor Stimac has been linked with a move to Iran’s Esteghlal football team.

The 47-year-old coach currently leads Zadar.

“I’ve heard Esteghlal has shown interest in signing me and it’s a great honor for me,” Stimac told jutarnji.

French coach Bernard Simondi, former Esteghlal midfielders Majid Namjoo-Motlagh and Dariush Yazdani were among the candidates for the job.

Naft coach Alireza Mansourian has also emerged as the favorite to land Esteghlal hot-seat.

Some Iranian media reported that the former Esteghlal player will be named as the team’s new head coach on Tuesday.

Esteghlal struggled over the past two seasons under coach Amir Ghalenoei.

The Iranian popular team finished in sixth place in the Iran Professional League last season.