Football Has Done So Much for Afshin Ghotbi

Ghotbi was born in Tehran, Iran, and his love for the game of soccer started early. He recalls playing in the streets with friends: bricks were used for goals, cars were defenders and combination passes were played off houses.

Ghotbi's globetrotting ways haven't stopped. His coaching career has spanned three decades across 12 different teams. He's been part of coaching staffs at three World Cups and spent the past dozen years in Asia, coaching in four different countries. In July, he was appointed manager of China League One side Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC for the second time and in early-November, his side clinched promotion to the Chinese Super League.

Ghotbi took on his first managerial job with Iranian giants Persepolis in 2007, where he helped the Reds to win the title after six seasons. Persepolis is one of the biggest clubs in Asia, with crowds exceeding 100,000.

"Everything was new to me and everything was so extreme that anything was possible," Ghotbi said in an interview with ESPN.

"I think regardless of our nationality and regardless of our culture, there are certain things all human beings share. When I go into a particular team or a country, the love of the game is very important. I think the respect you give each other is very important. Trying to listen and learn about how each culture behaves and how they think."

"This game (football) has done so much for me," he said. "I could stop breathing right now and I'll go to my grave with a big smile on my face because of the experiences I've had, the places I've seen, the things I've done. It's incredible because of this sport."