Esteghlal in talks with Gracia, Peseiro for managerial role: Report
Persian Gulf Pro League club Esteghlal is in talks with Spanish coach Javi Gracia and Portuguese José Peseiro to take charge of the Tehran Blues’ bench, according to Mehr News Agency.
Former head coach Javad Nekounam stepped down from his role after Monday’s 2-0 away loss to Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League Elite.
The defeat in Doha was the Blues’ third in seven outings in all competitions this season – more than the club conceded across the entire previous campaign (2).
Ex-Esteghlal and Iran international defender Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh was named as the interim coach for today’s visit to Havadar in the Iranian top flight, with the club hierarchy hoping to find a permanent replacement for Nekounam before Esteghlal is back in action against Zob Ahan in the league and Saudi giant Al Nassr after October’s international break.
A former head coach of La Liga outfits Osasuna and Valencia, Gracia, 52, was last in charge of Leeds United.
His tenure in the English Premier League club came to an end after only 12 games in charge in February last year after his team won three and lost seven.
Gracia, who led Watford to the FA Cup final in 2019, also enjoyed a successful spell with Al Sadd, steering the Doha-based giant to the Qatar Stars League crown in the 2021/22 campaign.
Meanwhile, 64-year-old Peseiro, an assistant to former Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz during his time in Real Madrid in the 2003/04 season, has been without a job since his Nigeria team suffered a 2-1 defeat against Côte d’Ivoire in the Africa Cup of Nations final in February.
Peseiro is no stranger to Middle East football, working as a manager with Saudi giant Al Hilal as well as Emirati clubs Al Wahda and Sharjah FC.
The Portuguese was also the head coach of Saudi Arabia national team between 2009 and 2011.
Esteghlal is 11th in the Iranian league table with five points – eight adrift of Tractor on top with a game in hand – while sitting fifth in the West Zone’s 12-team table after two rounds of matches in the revamped Asian elite clubs’ competition.