Iran name Ivankovic as new coach
© Reuters 2002
TEHRAN, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Iran have named Branko Ivankovic as their new coach after the popular Miroslav Blazevic resigned earlier this month, the IRNA news agency said on Tuesday.
The report did not give any financial details of the contract offered to Croat Ivankovic, who was the country's assistant coach. Blazevic, 66, cited health reasons and disappointment at not qualifying for this year's World Cup finals, which he described as "unbearable", as the reasons for his resignation.
Iran lost to Ireland in the World Cup playoffs in November, but still offered Blazevic a $4 million contract to stay for another four years, a Croatian newspaper had reported.
Blazevic, who led Croatia to a surprise third place at the 1998 World Cup, recently turned down an offer to coach Bosnia after some of the country's best known coaches opposed his appointment, Bosnian and Croat media have reported.
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