Iran’s Mohajerani Voted ‘Best AFC Asian Cup Coach’

He was chosen as the best coach by the fans, coming first with 93 percent.

Taking charge of Team Melli just a few months before Iran was to host the 1976 AFC Asian Cup, Mohajerni had an instant impact, leading the team to the title for the third time, and to date, last time in its history.

The same year, he helped the team qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time in its history, taking it past the group stage into the quarter-final, which remains its best-ever Olympic performance.

Mohajerani crowned his successes with Team Melli by taking it to the 1978 FIFA World Cup, the first time in its history.

In 1980, he led the UAE for their maiden AFC Asian Cup appearance.

Carlos Alberto Parreira (Kuwait/Saudi Arabia), Khalil Al Zayani (Saudi Arabia), Philippe Troussier (Japan), Ange Postecoglou (Australia) and Jorvan Vieira (Iraq) vied for the accolade as well.