An inside look at Dragan Skočić, the head coach of Iran

Dragan Skočić, the pinnacle coach of Iran, was born in Rijeka, a port metropolis in Croatia close to the Adriatic Sea. As a former participant, his profession as a midfielder spanned from 1987 to 2004. His most distinguished stint got here with Spanish facet Las Palmas, then within the Spanish second division.

He’s the primary Croatian to play skilled soccer exterior the Croatian borders. He didn’t have a profession glittered in success, however he was a pioneer, nonetheless.

Skočić turned his enjoying profession into one as a supervisor, the place he’s at present the pinnacle coach of Iran set for World Cup 2022.

Membership managerial profession

After retiring from his skilled profession in 2004, Skočić went on to handle eight totally different golf equipment. 4 of these groups had been from Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League.

Nonetheless, his best glory got here in 2006 with Rijeka, the facet he performed for a complete of 5 seasons over two stints. Skočić led Rijeka to its second Croatian Cup in his first, and solely, season on the helm in 2005/06.

After bouncing round Slovenia, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, he returned to Rijeka for one season. Then, he entered the Iranian soccer scene.

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Within the Persian Gulf Professional League’s 2013 season, Skočić led Malavan F.C. to seventh place, the membership’s greatest end. That season, Foolad FC gained the Persian Gulf Professional League. Foolad signed Skočić as its head coach. Then, that Could, the Croatian gained “Coach of the Month”.

Head coach of Iran

After a one-year stint with SNA F.C., Skočić earned appointment as head coach of Staff Melli – the Iranian nationwide crew. Since February 6, 2020, Dragan Skočić led Iran to a powerful 15-1-1 file. With an 88%-win proportion, Iran gained 13 out of its first 14 video games. They sat atop their group in 1st place all through {qualifications} for World Cup 2022. Exterior of Qatar because the host nation, Iran was the first crew to qualify from Asia.

In an interview with the Iranian state information company, Skočić spoke of the upcoming Group B match between USMNT and IR IRAN as having no political relevance.

Skočić and USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter mirror related philosophies in the case of the historical past between USMNT and Iran exchanging flowers earlier than their match at World Cup France 1998. Each coaches have the mentality that it’s only a sport and each coaches focus solely on the game.

“For us, it’s a soccer sport,” mentioned Berhalter to the Related Press. “We now have a number of respect for Iran; we predict it’s a good crew. And now we’re simply making an attempt to determine the best way to beat them.”

Iran and soccer

As head coach of varied Persian golf equipment, Dragan Skočić dwelled in Iran for the previous eight years.

“Iran is one thing totally different than individuals assume. Everybody talks in regards to the politics, however I’ve by no means seen the hospitality that I’ve skilled in Iran.”

Skočić refers to Iran’s lavish inns and residences that supply majestic experiences. Most not too long ago, the Iranian authorities declared they’d waive visa charges for vacationers touring to and from Qatar for the World Cup. Nonetheless, controversy nonetheless abounds within the nation concerning the attractive sport. On March 29, 2022, hundreds of Iranian ladies bought tickets to attend a World Cup qualifying match. Nonetheless, safety and officers on the stadium pepper-sprayed the ladies upon arrival.

This incident was an instance of perfidy, inflicting FIFA to repeat its admonitions to the Iranian authorities.

As he purports, Skočić’s focus stays on the game, not the skin politics. With the World Cup in Qatar not removed from Iran, there may be an elevated deal with the pinnacle coach of the Iran Nationwide Staff.

Skočić is a person on a mission with a chip on his shoulder. “Many underestimated me and didn’t respect me. However, I’m very blissful as a result of I proved myself.”

The Croatian maintains a disciplined mindset forward of a difficult Group B schedule. The Croatian-born Virgo plans on letting the ball – not politics – do the speaking.

PHOTO: Mohammad Karamali/DeFodi Pictures through Getty Pictures