South Korea sign Afshin Ghotbi of Iran
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Posted on Tuesday, September 13 2005  
(Irankicks.com) South Korean football federation introduced the new coaching staff of the national team today, the Iranian Afshin Ghotbi was introduced as one of the two main assistant coaches.
After South Korea qualified for the 2006 World Cup, her head coach, Jo Bonfrere resigned or was forced out of his job. Many speculations were made on who would replace Bonfrere, big time names were mentioned. Once again South Korea chose a Dutch coach to lead them in a world cup and once again a Dutch coach selected an Iranian to be his assistant and to work in Korea.
On Tuesday, September 13th, South Korea Football Federation announced in a press conference that Dick Advocat has been hired as their head coach. Along with him, two assistant coaches were hired including Iranian Afshin Ghotbi.
Dick Advocat coached Holland national team in the 1994 world Cup where Holland lost to Brazil 3-2 in the quarterfinals. Brazil was the eventual champions. He also coached his national team at Euro 2004 last year in Portugal and has coached several European clubs including Scotland’s Rangers and PSV Eindhoven in Netherlands. This Summer, Advocat signed a 1-year head coaching job with United Arab Emirates national team but when the South Korean opportunity came up, he chose to return to the World Cup.
Afshin Ghotbi is no longer an unknown name to the Iranian football fans. He was first introduced earlier this year to Iranian football community by Sports TV personality, Daryoush Zahab, and later by Irankicks.com and Parsfootball.com. Over the last few months, in several articles and interviews, Afshin expressed interest to coach at his home country and work with Branko Ivankovich but Iran’s Football Federation and head coach chose otherwise. Now, Afshin gets the chance to attend his third consecutive world cup as a coach and second one as South Korea’s coach, but unfortunately not with Iran.
Below, you will find an interview that was conducted by Kaveh Mahjoob of Irankicks.com and Parsfootball.com immediately after the announcement in Korea.
Kaveh: Afshin jon, Congratulations on the new great opportunity.
Afshin: Thanks Kaveh, I am excited and thrilled to be invited to the biggest football competition on the planet for the 3rd time.
Kaveh: How do you feel about being a part of the World Cup again and back to Korea?
Afshin: I am living a dream. Korea is a country with a lot of potential, as Korean players are very eager to learn. Their fighting spirit and physical qualities allow them to compete with the best in the world. With our support and encouragement everything is possible!
Kaveh: What exactly will you do for Dick Advocat and how will it be different than the last world cup?
Afshin: Dick has asked to me to be one of his 2 Assistant Coaches. Dutchman Pim Verbeek will be the other Assistant. My work will be both on and off the field…
On the field, I will be training the team along side Dick and Pim,.
Off the field, I will be analyzing our players and opponents using the most modern science and technology.
How will my work be different from the last World Cup? Korea will reach the Finals in Germany! (with a smile!)
Kaveh: How does Dick Advocat know you? Did you ever work with him?
Afshin: I have a long term working relationship (11 years) with Pim Verbeek. We worked together with the Korean Team in 2002. Pim took me to Germany and introduced me to Dick last year. Last December, I spent a week with Advocaat and his club Borussia Menchengladbach, in Germany. He was interested to have me join his club at that time, as we got along very well but the club was in a difficult position at the time, and he did not want to bring me to that situation.
Kaveh: Just in a few weeks, you will once again face Iran. First time it was in France while you worked for USA but this time you will be on the field for a friendly match in Korea against Iran on October 12th. How do you feel about that?
Afshin: It will always be special to me. Iran is my country.
Kaveh: Let me get controversial with you. In several TV shows, articles and interviews that you did and I did with you, you expressed great desire to work for the Iranian National Team. Did Iranian Football Federation ever contact you?
Afshin: Other than one conversation with Mr. Branko Ivankovich after Iran’s qualification, IFF has never contacted me.
Kaveh: How did your conversation go with Branko?
Afshin: Mr. Branko Ivankovich was friendly over the phone, but he was very vague. He told me that he would discuss the matter with IFF. I never heard from him since that conversation.
Kaveh: In Korea, Dick Advocat brought you and another top notch assistant. In Iran, Branko has two goalkeeper assistant coaches and one other, none world class. How do you explain this?
Afshin: I cannot comment on the quality of the Iranian National Team coaching staff, as I have never seen them work. It is also not right for me to criticize my coaching colleagues around the world.
Kaveh: While I am sure you are very happy about your current appointment, but honestly, are you disappointed with IFF and Branko?
Afshin: I am not disappointed. There will be other opportunities in the coming years to work with the Iranian players and the Iranian National Team.
Kaveh: All Iranians wish you the very best in your new endeavor. Do you have a last word?
Afshin: I wish only the best for the Iranian National Team in Germany. I hope the Iranian people will follow the Korean Team, as there will an Iranian flavor and influence in this team. As I will sit on the bench with the Korean coaching kit (uniform), I will be wearing the Iranian flag in my heart. Iran, I am proud of you. Iranian people, I love you.
Kaveh: Afshin jon, please promise that you will keep your line of communication open with us at Irankicks.com. We will be in touch with you from time to time before and throughout the world cup.
Afshin: Of course.
We at Irankicks.com and Parsfootball.com congratulate our fellow countryman and friend Afshin Ghotbi at his new position and wish him the very best. He does make us proud.
Link to Mr Ghotbi’s previous interview with Irankicks.com
Link to Mr Ghotbi’s article ‘Iran Entering the Era of Modern Football’
By Irankicks correspondent Kaveh Mahjoob, USA
Editing and graphics by Irankicks moderator Afshin Dastafshan, UK
Kaveh_Mahjoob@hotmail.com
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