Former Iranian football player Ali Karimi has been selected an assistant coach for Iran national team manager Carlos Queiroz.
In a press conference held to officially introduce him as the national team’s assistant coach on Thursday, Queiroz said: “We are here today to introduce Ali Karimi as the new member of the national team coaching staff.”
Explaining that he has previously worked with Karimi when he played for the national team, Queiroz stated: “We will never forget Karimi’s efforts for the team in the 2014 World Cup qualification games. We wish him the best in his new position.”
Later Karimi pointed out that he had the honor to play for the national team in the past and “now I have the pleasure to help the team in another position, as a coach.”
He thanked Queiroz and Iranian Football Federation President Ali Kafashian and expressed hope that he would fulfill the trust reposed in him.
Working for the national team is his coaching debut; an opportunity usually given to professional coaches. However, Karimi was selected given his vast experience as a player to help the younger generation now playing for the team.
Coaching Career
“I am very happy that I will begin my coaching career with the opportunity to work alongside Carlos Queiroz. He is a great head coach and I will certainly be able to benefit from his experiences,” Karimi added.
The Portuguese manager had earlier announced that Karimi was “one of his best players during his time as a coach.”
Following a meeting between Queiroz and Kafashian, Karimi was selected for the position. He will officially begin work on October 6 when Iran national team will begin their Asian Cup preparations with a training camp in Portugal.
‘The Magician’
Karimi (born in 1978) retired from football playing in 2013. Renowned for his on-the-ball skill, dribbling runs and playmaking ability, he was often referred to as ‘The Magician’. He has played for several local and foreign clubs including: Fath, Persepolis, Steel Azin, and Tractor-Sazi in Iran, Al-Ahli in UAE, Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 in Germany, Qatar SC in Qatar, as well as the Iran national team.
He usually played as an attacking midfielder or deep-lying forward. Wherever he played, he was a major help to the team. Playing for different clubs during his professional career, he won several cups, awards and honors. In 2004 he became the fourth Iranian player to win the Asian Footballer of the Year title. He is believed to be one of Asia’s greatest players, and is often listed as one of the greatest Iranian players of all-time.
