An interview with Afshin Ghotbi (By Irankicks correspondent Kaveh Mahjoob)
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Posted on Monday, June 20 2005 By Irankicks correspondent Kaveh Mahjoob
Introduction
Afshin Ghotbi is a name that may not be a household yet in Iran but those in the international coaching community know him well. At the age of 42, Mr. Ghotbi has been to two world cups as a technical advisor and one of his teams, South Korea, made it all the way to the final four.
The other team, USA, was engaged in a most memorable match against Afshin’s home country, Iran, in 1998. What a game that was for all Iranians and what a day that was for this Iranian advisor to the USA’s head coach. We will discuss this subject further below.
This week, I had an interview with Afshin while he was on the road in Dallas, coaching MLS West leading club, Galaxy of Los Angeles. Before we get to the interview, let’s review Afshin Ghotbi’s background together.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, UCLA
Coaching License: “A” License, Professional Coaching License
Age: 42
Residence: Southern California, USA
2004 – Present – Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) – Assistant Coach
2002 – 2004 – Samsung Bluewings (K-League, Korea) FA Champion – Assistant Coach
2001 – 2002 - Korea National Team & 2002 World Cup (4th place) – Analyst Coach
1998 – 2001 – Technical Consultant – Clients included Ajax (Netherlands), Galaxy of Los Angeles (USA), Omiya Arija (Japan), KFA (Korea), Chinese Football Association
1997 – 1998 – USA National Team & 1998 World Cup – Technical Staff / Chief Scout
1988 – 2001 – American Global Soccer School – Head Coach and Technical Director
1988 – 1991 – La Canada High School, Head Coach
1984 – 1988 – UCLA Women’s Head Coach
1981 – 1985 – UCLA’s Men Team Player
THE EARLY YEARS
Kaveh (IK),
Dear Afshin, on behalf of Irankicks.com and Parsfootball.com, it is a pleasure to do this interview with you. I know you are on the road and thanks for the time.
Afshin,
I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak via your media outlets with my countrymen and women. Let me first congratulate all Iranians, wherever they are, for the World Cup qualification. I especially want to congratulate the players, coaches and the football federation.
Kaveh (IK),
You have lived most of your life outside of Iran. How old were you when you left Iran? What are your memories of the Iranian players and clubs back then?
Afshin,
I was 13 years old in 1977 when we left Iran and moved to Glendale in California. I remember watching our great clubs like Perspolis and Taj (Esteghlal). My favorite players were Ali Parvin and Nasser Hejazi.
Kaveh (IK),
You have coached at different levels of the game for over 20 years. Are you interested to coach in Iran and why such interest?
Afshin,
I began playing football at the young age with a plastic ball in the streets of Tehran. Football was our love and a way of life. Back in those days, I was smaller than most kids yet I always tried to show them how to become better in the game. Years later and now that I am older, living outside of Iran, I feel the great desire, need and want to go back to my roots, culture and country and give back. I want to take my passion for the game back home and help our football.
COACHING IS MY LIFE
Kaveh (IK),
You have coached in Europe, Asia and North America. You also have worked with coaches from Latin America. What style of play do you think could succeed for Iran or other up and coming teams?
Afshin,
In the modern or continental football, I believe we can take the strength of each corner of the world. The South American technical qualities and ball handling speed, the European tactical organization, the African athleticism, and Iranian passion can make an interesting combination for Iranian football.
Kaveh (IK),:
You spent a lot of years at AGSS. What was AGSS?
Afshin,
AGSS was a football academy. Our goal was to train young footballers to become international level players. We developed a European model providing all-year around training programs, domestic and international matches and tournaments around the world. In Southern California we were probably the only school of our kind. Over 13 years, we trained and developed thousands of kids. Many ended up playing in different leagues across the world. For example:
John O’Brien ended up playing for Ajax in Netherlands and the U.S. National Team.
Peter Vagenas played for the U.S. Olympic Team and is now in Los Angeles Galaxy.
David Johnson played for U.S. U-17, U-20 and Willem II of Netherlands
Cesar Alvarado played at MLS level for Tampa Bay Mutiny.
Joey Digimarino played in the U.S. Olympic Team & Bayern Leverkusen.
Marques Davidson is playing for Omiya Ardija in Japan.
During the time school operated, we brought many international first class coaches to our academy to teach kids including Bora Milutinovich who became a great friend. Also, every Summer, we took our youth teams to Europe for friendly matches and for training. This was how I got the chance to develop relationships and work with top European coaches and learn from them.
With my level of international commitment, I had no choice but to close the school in 2002.
Kaveh (IK),
Which coach was your mentor?
Afshin,
Bora Milutinovich has been a great friend and a mentor. He took 5 teams to 5 different world cups: Mexico, Costa Rica, USA, Nigeria and China. We first worked together at AGSS when he came in 1991 and 1992 to spend time with us as a guest coach. We stayed in touch and in 2002, once China qualified for the World Cup, he took me in as a technical consultant to introduce the latest computer technology in coaching. Bora was instrumental in helping me to become an international coach and we are in close contact.
Co Adriaanse, the current Porto head Coach. We first met when he was in Ajax as the Director of Players in the early 1990’s. He is a personal friend and came to my football academy for seminars.
Pim Verbeek who has coached in 3 different continents (Europe, Asia and Central America) at international level played a major influence in my career. He brought me to Japan and later to Korea and introduced me to Guus Hiddink. His constant encouragement and belief gave me great inspiration and insight to continue my journey in international football.
Of course, Guus Hiddink (former head coach of Korea, Real Madrid and PSV Eindhoven in Netherlands) showed me so much about management of a national team. I learned so much about how he deals with famous players, press and federation officials in my 18 months working with him with the Korean National Team
Steve Sampson has also been a very good friend. He was my coach at UCLA in early 1980’s, I worked for him during the 1998 World Cup and now I work as his first assistant coach at Galaxy. He gave me my first chance in international football, and I am eternally grateful.
Kaveh (IK),
We hear a lot about you, computers and technology. Why is that?
Afshin,
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” Images make it very easy to communicate with players and influence their performances positively. When Master Coach, a football software developed to analyze the video images of a football game, was brought to the U.S. National Team back in early 1998.
I was given the task by Steve Sampson to utilize the technology to support the U.S. Team. I already used VCR to create tactical scene prior to the availability of the computer technology. Well, I developed a lot of new applications using technology to improve players and teams and became one of the best in the world.
When we were preparing for 2002 World Cup, I created tactical models of all the teams in our group. The analysis of our own team and opponents gave Korea a huge advantage in the World Cup. I am a 100% football coach using all scientific means to improve performance of individual players and results of the team. The difference between success and failure in modern football is very small. One second early or late and one cent-meter left or right can result in triumph or failure. Nothing can be left to chance anymore.
Kaveh (IK),
What is a favorite news media quote about you?
Afshin,
Interesting question. I was called: “An Iranian born, living in America, flying to Hong Kong on British Airways working for the Korean National team under a Dutch coach.” This quote was used in both TV and news papers around the world.
THE GAME
Kaveh (IK),
Now it is time to talk about THE GAME. Go back to 1998 when Iran met USA. How did you feel before the match?
Afshin,
The word is EMOTIONAL. I knew the game meant so much to the Iranians around the world. It was a very difficult day for me, as I was emotionally torn. I had the love for my country and people on one hand, and on the other hand I had a professional obligation to the U.S. Team.
When we found out that Iran and USA were in the same group I had the combined feelings of excitement and concern. In my heart I am always Iranian and it was a strange feeling. I tried to place professionalism ahead of patriotism. Bora taught me that as an international coach, there will be times that you may have to coach against friends and country you live in or born in. In reality, that is very difficult.
Kaveh (IK),
What was your advice to USA coach following the Iran – Yugoslavia match?
Afshin,
I told Steve that Iran was going to be a very difficult team. Iran had many specialists. Daei was fantastic inside the box. Bagheri was amazing in playing short and long balls. Kia was one of the best in Asia and among the best young wingers in the world. As I studied the films, during the qualification, so many goals came from the right side due to Kia’s actions from the right channels.
Then there was Azizi between Bagheri and Daei. Azizi was skillful, creative and unpredictable. The rest of the Iranian team were industrial and willing to do a job for the team.
I warned all not to look past Iran. Then we walked into the stadium. The stadium was mostly pro Iran and it was an amazing and breath-taking scene. There was a great sense of pride to be Iranian and I was. When Estili scored I wasn’t sure what to do, to cry or to cheer. I sat and stared. That day, a whole nation backed the Iranian team giving the Iranian players a great inspiration. As for Yugoslavia – Iran match, Iran deserved a minimum a draw out of the game.
As I studied Iran prior to the World Cup, I noticed that Ivich tried to give the Iranian team tactical discipline, organization and defending responsibility. Ivich’s mistake was that he also tried to change the style of Iranians instead of capitalize on their strength. He tried to turn them into a conservative team. They were unhappy and therefore not successful. You have to create the system of play based on the strengths of your players.
Kaveh (IK),
How was the 2002 World Cup experience?
Afshin,
A lot of attention was given to me by Koreans and they accepted me as one of their own. The players and I created a great bond. I also felt proud to be the first Iranian to have reached that level of achievement at World Cup. I received a war hero medal from the Korean President after the World Cup along with other players and coaches.
Kaveh (IK),
Why your interest to be involved with Iran and not another team for the 2006 World Cup?
Afshin,
I am very interested to be involved in the national level with Branko Ivankovich and Iran. There are not too many 42 year olds that have been at 2 world cups with 2 separate teams. Iran is my country. She has a fantastic team with a lot of potential to grow. I have not given anything back to my country until now and would love to do it.
If it doesn’t happen in this World Cup, I hope it happens in another one. I believe in the Iranian players, as they possess a lot of qualities. With better tactical organization and preparation, Iran can achieve great things in the international arena. Reaching the World Cup should be the norm for Iran, we must strive to reach the Final 16 and later the Final 8 at each and every World Cup.
Kaveh (IK),
What role do you want to play?
Afshin,
I am open to discussion to help. I would do my best to make Iran and Branko successful. I have worked with coaches with many world cup backgrounds. Hiddink became successful because he surrounded himself with the best in both the medical and technical side. The art of coaching has changed. You have to have a strong technical, medical and administrative staff.
Kaveh (IK),
Which of Iran’s recent games have you seen?
Afshin,
I saw the Iran – Bahrain match as well as the Iran – North Korea match, both in Tehran.
Kaveh (IK),
what is your view of Foreign based players and their national team impact?
Afshin,
Brazil is winning because her young players go and play in the European football competing at the highest level day in and day out. The tactical demands of the best leagues in the world make the Brazilian better. There should be no fear of bringing the high qualities based outside of the country.
Kaveh (IK),
4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. What do you think about these systems?
Afshin,: Systems give team organization in attack and defense, and its purpose is to bring the best out of your players. In the World Cup 2002, we developed a system to fit the Korean players’ qualities. Of course, we took a in consideration the teams in our group and their system of play. Two of the teams (Poland and U.S.A) played in the group stage in 2002 played a 4-4-2 using a diamond in the midfield. In modern football, teams must be capable to change systems and organization during a match to ensure a good result.
Kaveh (IK),
For a team like Iran, given where it is in world football, what attacking system would make sense?
Afshin,
Block of 6 and Diamond on top. In this system, you would have a deep striker and wingers. The Outside defenders would come forward on attack. It is an easy system to implement and fairly organized. Organization behind the ball is such that you don’t leave open space behind for counter attacks. Defensively, Iran should crowd the midfield.
Kaveh (IK),
What is the importance of friendly matches against tough teams?
Afshin,
It is very important. It is important who you play, where you play them, where to set training camp prior to these friendly matches and who would be available. In Korea, K-League teams allowed the World Cup players to be with the National Team more and beyond the FIFA requirements, so we trained the team for 6 months giving us a great advantage at the Cup. IFF should consider doing the same.
Kaveh (IK),
Dear Afshin, this interview went longer than planned. Thank you for answering all the questions so openly. We should plan for a different one soon on more technical issues.
Afshin,
Thank you, Irankicks and Parsfootball for the opportunity, we will do more follow up talks. Once again, my congratulations to all Iranians for Iran’s qualification.
THE WRAP
Afshin Ghotbi’s name may not be a household name among Iranians but for us football fans, it should be. He has been to two world cups and has a lot to offer to our national team, our football and our young players.
From a place far far away, Kaveh Mahjoob
Kaveh_Mahjoob@hotmail.com
Acknowledgements - Thanks to Daryoush Zahab for his help in setting up this interview. Also,thanks to Afshin Dastafshan for his editing and graphics.
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