TEHRAN – Ex-Persepolis and Sepahan coach has been named as new head coach of Iran U23 football team on Sunday.

The 62-year-old Croatian coach has also coached Croatia and Montenegro national football teams.

Ex-Iran captains Javad Nekounam and Ali Karimi, Foolad coach Sirous Pourmousavai and former Iran assistant Omid Namazi were also among the candidates to take charge of Iran U23 football team.

Iran, a powerhouse of the Asian football, has not been in the Olympics since the 1976 games in Munich.

The team is without a coach since parting company with Amirhossein Peyrovani.

Ex-Iran and Persepolis midfielder Hamid Estili had been already named as new technical manager of Iran U23 football team.