Ivankovic seeks return to club football

ASIANCUP2004 - Iran national coach Branko Ivankovic has said that he is extremely likely to leave his position after the conclusion of the Asian Cup 2004 and return to club management.

Speaking to FootballAsia.com, the Croat said that he is ‘99 per cent certain’ that he will not be renewing his contract with the Iran Football Federation after this tournament.

“My contract will be expiring in a month and I am not sure if I can continue with the Iran team,” said Ivankovic.

“The decision is still in my hands and I will decide in the next few days what I intend to do in the future. But I am 99 per cent certain that I will finish with my contract.”

Ivankovic said that he intends to take a break from football before likely returning to coaching, most likely at club level.

“I have had some offers from the Middle East but I want to take a break from football first and enjoy some rest,” said the 50-year-old, who led Iran to the semi-finals at this tournament, where they were eliminated in a penalty shootout by China.

“If possible, I would prefer to coach a club again as I would like to work with a team on a day-to-day basis instead of only meeting up with them at most times for only one match in a month.”

Iran meet Bahrain in the Asian Cup 2004 third place playoff on Friday at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing.