Iran FA want Eriksson

(GSM) – The Iranian FA are interested in hiring former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson as national team boss.

Abbas Torabian, head of recruitment for the Iranian FA, has confirmed Iran’s interest in the Swede manager while denying reports linking former Argentina manager Diego Maradona with the role.

“We would be very happy if we got Mr Eriksson,” Torabian said. “He has a lot of experience.”

However, Torabian insists the FA has not yet contacted the Leicester City manager.

“We will decide after the Asian Championships who the new coach will be,” he explained. “If we choose a foreigner I will be in charge of the recruitment. We have not met Mr Eriksson yet.

“There are too many newspapers in Iran, and they like to make things up.”

But Torabian has snubbed talk that the job might be offered to Maradona while maintaining that Iran would welcome players of the Argentine legend’s status to the country.

“One thing is for certain: the job will not be offered to Diego Armando Maradona despite rumours that say otherwise,” added Torabian.

“We have not met Maradona either; and I want to make it clear that we would love to invite him and other great players to Iran.

“But we do not want him as our next national coach.”

Eriksson, who has international experience following stints at Ivory Coast, Mexico and England, is tipped to replace Iran’s current incumbent Afshin Ghotbi. The latter will remain in charge until the end of the January Asian Cup in Qatar.