Belgium’s Wilmots leaves Iran without signing coaching deal
Former Ivory Coast and Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has left Iran without signing the anticipated contract to coach the Islamic republic's national team, semi-official news agency ISNA reported on Friday.
A handout picture provided by the Iranian Football Federation on May 15, 2019 shows the new coach of Iran’s national football team, Marc Wilmots, (C), during visit at the national team’s camp in Tehran. (Photo by HO / Iranian Football Federation / AFP) / == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / HO / IRANIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ==
The former Belgian striker had arrived in Iran on Wednesday and was expected to sign a $1.2 million (1 million euros) a year deal until the end of the 2022 World Cup.
The 50-year-old who was capped 70 times for his country “reviewed Iran’s football facilities and had talks with Mehdi Taj”, Iran’s football federation president, according to ISNA.
He left on Thursday night after watching the Iran pro league finals match between Persepolis F.C. and Pars Jonoubi Jam.
“If the two sides reach an agreement, Wilmots will return to Tehran to sign the contract and start his work,” ISNA said.
Wilmots is expected to replace Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz who stepped down after eight years in charge in January following Iran’s semi-final exit in the Asian Cup when they went down 3-0 to Japan.
He led Iran to two World Cup finals and extended his contract to 2019 after the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Wilmots guided Belgium into the 2014 World Cup during his stint as coach with them between 2012-2016.
He took charge of Ivory Coast in 2017 but parted company after failing to qualify the west Africans for the 2018 World Cup.
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
For more news your way
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
