It was announced by IFF today that Mr. Ali Daei the ex-captain of Iranian national team is the next head coach of Iran’s national side.

Ali Daei’s nomination came as a bombshell to many as he was not on an immediate list of the candidates; however, it was also a great relief to several football aficionados to finally have someone at the helm of Team Melli.

Ali Daei needs no introduction. His long list of achievements as player and coach combined, exceeds many local managers who are currently employed in Iran. Without hesitation his engagement as the head coach of the national team will bring both exhilaration and experience to a team that is in desperate need of a boss who is a household name on national and international prospect.

Footballmedia organization would also like to congratulate Iranian football enthusiast for their patience, endurance and loyalty during this very difficult time in quest of finding a suitable manager!

Below you can find a summary of Daei’s achievements as the road to South Africa 2010 officially begins here!

Ali Daei

Born on March 21, 1969 in Ardabil, Iran, Ali Daei is, without uncertainty, the most prolific striker in the history of Asian football. He is an accomplished athlete, proficient businessman and above all an educated sports celebrity.
Daei obtained his engineering degree in Metallurgy from Tehran's Sharif University. His sports career started in Ardabil at the age 19 when he played for Esteghlal of Ardabil. Missing out to play for J. League of Japan due to military service, Daei then moved to Tehran to join Taxirani FC, Tejarat Bank FC and the ever-popular Asian side Persepolis of Tehran. 

Many other Persepolis players signed contracts with several different foreign clubs at the same time, yet Daei proved to be very successful franchise. Daei moved to the Qatari side Al Saad and shortly after he was traded to Arminia Bielefeld in German Bundesliga.

Ali Daei then made a famous four million Deutschemark move from Arminia Bielefeld to the six time European champions Byern Munich, which was a record for Asian players at the time. He was hand picked for the Bundesliga giants Byern Munich by the legendary footballer Franz Beckenbauer, president of the club, who rated him as a world-class center forward.

The Iranian international star became the first Asian player to feature in a UEFA Champions League match. He won a Bundesliga championship with Byern Munich in 1999 and made his final European move to another Bundesliga great, Hertha Berlin.

In Hertha Berlin Daei played in the Championship league and became their best goal getter with three goals in his pocket.

Who could forget his most famous matches against the powerful English club Chelsea and the mighty Italian A.C. Milan in which he scored three goals that earned him the prestigious Asian Player of the Year award in 1999. At the same time Daei was very successful in international competitions scoring practically in every game and making new records.

In November of 2004 Ali Daei finally passed the legendary Brazilian footballer Pele (77 goals) and Hungarian notorious striker Ferenc Puskas (84 goals) to become the only man in the history of International goals to pass the century mark!

The following month, FIFA (World football's governing body) awarded Daei in a ceremony arranged to laude football stars in Zurich Switzerland for his great achievement.

Few days later in Iran the managing director of Iran's postal company made an announcement to have Ali Daei's stamps in circulation and Daei joined an elite group of super athletes in Iran to have his own stamp.

Ali Daei finally decided to come back to his native Iran and once more played for Persepolis FC of Tehran. He played a year for the “Reds” and won the golden boot award the same year at age 35 before moving to Saba Battery FC of Tehran.

Daei also served his country twice in the world cups (1998, France and 2006 in Germany as the captain). In 2006 Saipa organization assigned Daei to become the head coach of their team and in 2007 his team became IPL champions under his persistent direction! 

Apart from his great sportsmanship on the pitch, Daei ran many charitable organizations and used a great deal of his own money in support of the less fortunate. Daei contributed so much to the Bam community after a massive earthquake hit Iranian ancient city on December 26th 2003.

In his native Iran, Daei has been seen as a role model and has touched many lives with his class and finesse. In September 2001 the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) appointed Ali Daei, the captain of the Iran's national soccer team, the goodwill harbinger of Iranian Global Movement for Children and Juniors (GMCJ). During a ceremony held by UNICEF representative in Iran, Daei received the license for his new position.

Daei later appeared in a UNICEF commercial with another super star David Beckham and former secretary of state, Madeline Albright. Daei has been regularly working with UNICEF organization ever since. He owns and operates several businesses including his own football jersey manufacturing company, making jersey for Iranian premiership clubs, second division clubs worldwide and for the national team.

Now Daei has joined the exclusive circles of players with a Century of caps and he continues to be a great example for not only Iranian youth, but also the younger generation of football lovers all over the globe.