Zlatko Dalic has denied that he has been offered a contract by Iranian football club Esteghlal.

The Iranian media suggest that the 50-year-old is a candidate to replace Alireza Mansourian at the Tehran-based team.

“It’s not true. I have not had any contact with Esteghlal. I am having my summer vacation at this moment,” the former Al Hilal coach said.

Most recently, Dalic was head coach of Al Ain of the UAE but stepped down in January.

Former South Korea coach Uli Stielike is reportedly a nominee to take charge of the Iranian giant.

Esteghlal currently sit two places above the relegation zone.

Mansourian led the Blues to Iran Professional League runner-up last season but he has won just one match after five weeks in the new IPL season.

The former Iran national team midfielder resigned after Esteghlal suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Padideh but the team’s managerial board didn’t accept it.