Former Brazilian great Zico has agreed to take over as Iraq coach, hoping to revive the team's fortunes following a disappointing run of results.
Iraq Football Federation president Najih Hamoud told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday that a final agreement on Zico's one-year contract was reached late Sunday.
''The deal with Zico is done and he started his work with our team,'' Hamoud said. ''We hope to see good results by Zico and our national team.''
The IFF and Zico were in negotiations over his contract for two days. Hamoud declined to say how much the Brazilian would be paid although he is expected to get a bonus for every game Iraq wins.
Iraq won the Asian Cup in 2007, but its defense of the trophy ended in the quarterfinals in January this year and the team was surprisingly knocked out of the Gulf Cup by Kuwait last November.
German coach Wolfgang Sidka was released at the end of his $500,000 one-year contract earlier this month.
Zico, 58, played in three World Cups for Brazil - 1978, 1982 and 1986. He has coached Japan and several club sides, most recently Olympiakos.
The IFF plans to hold a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad next month. By that time, Zico will already have two games under his belt - the World Cup qualifiers at home to Jordan on Sept. 2 and away to Singapore four days later.
The Iraqi team plays in Irbil, located in Iraq's Kurdish controlled northern territory, 217 miles (350 kilometers) north of Baghdad. The region is generally considered safer than the rest of Iraq, where visiting teams have raised concerns about playing.
Iraqi sports analyst Saif al-Maliki said Sidka's departure was inevitable after a lackluster season and predicted Zico would help the team improve.
''Zico will have better chances in coaching the Iraqi team because he has clearer vision on the capabilities of the Iraqi players,'' al-Maliki said.
---
Sameer N. Yacoub reported from Amman, Jordan.
