Former Galaxy Assistant Named Iran MNT Coach

Afshin Ghotbi (left) with the rest of the 2005 LA Galaxy Coaching Staff, Billy McNicol, Head Coach Steve Sampson and Ignacio Hernandez in Spain during the 2005 preseason. (LAG)

A former U.S. National Team scout and assistant to Guus Hiddink with South Korea, Afshin Ghotbi today was appointed Iran's National Team coach.

Ghotbi, 45, who was an assistant coach under Steve Sampson with the LA Galaxy in 2005, is charged with the task of trying to revive Iran's World Cup chances. Iran currently sits in fourth place of the Asian Football Federation's Group B standings with three games to go. The first two teams get automatic bids, the third place team in Group B plays against the third place team in Group A for the right to face a country from Oceania for a place at the World Cup.

Congratulations to Ghotbi on the appointment are in order. Also, check out this insightful Q&A with Jack Bell of The New York Times.