TEHRAN – Ex-Iran captain Javad Nekounam has been reportedly nominated as a candidate to coach 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.

Nekounam currently coaches Iran’s first division Nassaji Mazandaran. He has served as coach of Khooneh be Khooneh football team.

Nicknamed Neku, and widely regarded as one of Asia's greatest footballers, Nekounam represented the Iran national team a record of 151 times, playing several major tournaments including two World Cups and four Asian Cups.

Former Persepolis and Sepahan coach Zlatko Kranjcar and Ex-Iran assistant coach Omid Namazi had been linked with the vacant job.

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