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Ramadan will start on Saturday in most countries.

Branko Ivankovic, the ex-Team Melli coach has shared a post in his Instagram account, saying “Ramadan Mubarak”.

Asian Football Confederation has also sent congratulation on the occasion of the blessed month.

Many international clubs have also congratulated Ramadan.

The Spanish club Barcelona was the first initiator of this step, after sending a message through its official page on Twitter saying: “Barcelona club congratulates you by the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is good and Happy New Year.”

The Italian team Milan wrote: “The month of fasting is welcome, the month of good deeds and generosity came, and on this occasion, AC Milan joins the celebration of the holy month with all the Rossoneri, every year, you, family and friends in all health and wellness.”

In England, Manchester City wrote: “Manchester City congratulates you on the blessed month of Ramadan … Happy New Year.”

Chelsea team wrote: “Blessed Ramadan for all those who prepare for fasting during the holy month.”

And on the United website, it was written: “Your nights are good, Ramadan … and you are so sweet in Ramadan.”

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According To Iran News, The Omani Football Association (OFA) has announced that it has reached to an agreement with the Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic.

Ivankovic replaced Erwin Koeman who failed to get the country beyond the group stages of the Persian Gulf Cup in Qatar in December.

Oman is in Group E along with India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Qatar in the 2022 World Cup qualification.

Ivankovic left Persepolis in June after failed to reach an agreement with the Iranian team’s officials.

The Croat built the most decorated resume of any coach in Persepolis history. Under leadership of him, Persepolis won three successive Iran Professional League. The Reds, also won one Hazfi Cup, three Super Cups and advanced to the 2018 AFC Champions League final.

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Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) will negotiate with ex-Persepolis coach Branko Ivankovic over taking charge of Iran national football team.

According To Iran News, Local media reported that the Iranian officials will negotiate with the Croatian coach in Zagreb on Monday.

Marc Wilmots’s team lost to Bahrain and Iraq at the Qatar 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers within a month.

The Belgian coach left Iran immediately after return to Tehran from Amman and the Iranian football fans has accused Wilmots of irresponsibility.

Speaking to Tasnim on Sunday, Ivankovic has denied the speculations linking him with Team Melli but it seems the Iranian football federation is reluctant to continue its cooperation with Wilmots.

“I didn’t receive any call from anyone and I didn’t have any negotiation,” he told Tasnim news agency.

Ivankovic has an excellent track record as a coach in Iran, since he helped Iran U-23 football team win the 2002 Asian Games.

He also led Team Melli to a third place in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup in China and also booked a place in the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Team Melli.

The 65-year-old Croat also won three consecutive titles in Iran Professional League with Persepolis.

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Ivankovic led Persepolis to the Iranian domestic treble last season but left after they failed to pay him his salary.

The 65-year-old coach won the gold medal in the 2002 Asian Games and led Team Melli to third place in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup.

The Croat coached Iran at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where the Persian failed to qualify for the next stage after losing to Mexico and Portugal. Team Melli drew with Angola.

“At the moment, I have a lot of offers from Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan and China but have not accepted them so far. In Al Ahli, I was fired after three matches, something I had never experienced before. I think I worked well because the Saudi Arabian team needed some changes in dressing room but this is football and I accept it,” Ivankovic said.

Asked him why he left Persepolis at the end of the last season, coach Branko Ivankovic said, “I had four fascinating years in Iran and I miss the country. However, I was forced to leave Persepolis because they didn’t pay our salaries for about one year. At that time, Al Ahli gave me a good offer and I accepted it,” he added.

Persepolis have lost three matches in the last 10 matches but Branko Ivankovic says they are favorites to win the title for the fourth time in a row.

“I think Gabriel Calderon needs time in Persepolis because he is a great coach. Persepolis fans love their team and support their players and coaches. In my opinion, Persepolis and Sepahan are vying for the title in the current season,” Ivankovic stated.

Ivankovic believes that Team Melli had a chance of qualifying for the next stage at the 2018 World Cup.

“I think (Carlos) Queiroz preferred to defend in Russia. Iran could play an attacking football against Portugal and Span. After beating Morocco, Team Melli should take risks,” Ivankovic added.

Is there any chance to return to Team Melli if he receives an offer?

“I would prefer to work at a club. I am not going work as a national team head coach,” Ivankovic concluded.

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Furthermore, Persepolis reached the AFC Champions League final for the first time ever, where they lost to Japanese outfit Kashima Antlers 2-0 on aggregate.

Now, the local media reported that the 65-year-old coach has penned a two-year contract with Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia.

Ivankovic is leaving Persepolis at the peak of his career but the fans are protesting the club’s officials to let him go and it has angered them.

To regain domestic supremacy next season will be very tough for Persepolis since their opponents have already started their readiness but they should find a new coach from now on.

Afshin Ghotbi is the best possible option for Persepolis since the ex-Iran coach has already won a title with Persepolis in 2008 which is highly regarded as one of the most inspirational moments in the team’s history. Ghotbi inspired the Reds to win the league title after six years despite six-point deduction imposed by FIFA for non-payment of a former player.

Ghotbi, who was greeted as ‘Afshin the Emperor’, will definitely have a difficult task in Persepolis because he faces a tough task in living up to fans’ expectations.

Ghotbi is without a team after parting company with Foolad, where he failed to make a splash in the Ahvaz based football club, however, he is a favorite candidate for the fans.

Ivankovic has given everything to Persepolis and has nothing left but it’s not the right time to announce his departure since there’s not much time left for the club.

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Iran’s top-flight football league champions, Persepolis, announced on Tuesday that they have completely settled Ivankovic’s debts and have also paid a part of his contract for the next season.

“Ivankovic will remain as Persepolis coach for one more year,” Arab said.

Under the guidance of the ex-Iran coach, Persepolis won three successive Iran Professional League titles.

Persepolis also won Hazfi Cup and two Super Cups.

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The Iranian football team lost to Kashima 2-0 at the Kashima Stadium in the first leg of the AFC Champions League.

Leo Silva and Serginho scored two goals for the Japanese team.

“First, I congratulate Kashima because of the win, but I think we should have won the match. Our players wasted their chances against Kashima,” Ivankoviuc said in the post-match news conference.

Ivankovic was furious at the referee’s performance in this match.

“In the first half, Kashima defender should have been shown a red card because he prevented our scoring chance. I believe that the referee’s decisions went against us,” Persepolis coach added.

The second leg will be held in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on Nov. 10 and Ivankovic is optimistic about the home match.

“The fans act as a 12th man and I hope that we win the AFC Champions League in front of more than 80,000 fans at the Azadi Stadium. We know that we have a difficult task ahead but it’s not impossible as we’ve already shown that we can do it,” Ivankovic concluded.

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Both teams will be playing in the AFC Champions League final for the first time, with Kashima Antlers hosting the first leg on Nov. 3.

The Iranian giants will host Kashima on Nov. 10 in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

The Japanese side edged Korea Republic’s Suwon Samsung Bluewings 6-5 on aggregate in the semi-finals while Persepolis ended the challenge of Qatar’s Al Sadd, winning the two-leg clash 2-1 on aggregate.

“Our players are well prepared for the match against Kashima. They are physically and mentally prepared for the challenge. We have the ambition and I trust my players. Everybody can be ambitious and I am waiting for the best moment of my life,” Ivankovic said.

“We analyze Kashima Antlers in their two matches against Suwon Samsung but we will play according to our philosophy and the way we know how to play,” the Croat added.

“Persepolis have played the West Asian teams like Al Duhail and Al Sadd who are aggressive and play attacking football. They work to have a better attacking line. Persepolis will also keep playing attacking football. We know that we will have a difficult task against Kashima but we’re going to fulfil our dreams.

“Kashima’s style of football is different from the West Asian teams. They are more technical than the West Asian teams and have signed creative players like Serginho. The Brazilian forward helps Kashima in both scoring and assists,” Ivankovic stated.

Persepolis coach is unsure about Ahmad Nourollahi who injured in the second leg against Al Sadd.

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