November 21, 2007

SINGAPORE (AFP) – Former Everton and England midfielder Peter Reid has rejected an offer to coach the Iranian national side, according to a report Wednesday.

Reid, who has coached Sunderland, Manchester City and Leeds United in the English Premier League, declined a three-year contract but admitted that Iran's talent pool made it an intriguing proposal.

"It's international football and they've got some decent players around Europe," the 51-year-old told the Asian Football Confederation website.

"Obviously I know Andranik (Teimourian) at Bolton and I like (Javad) Nekounam at Osasuna."

The AFC said he did not elaborate on why he had turned down the offer.

Iran have been without a coach following the sacking of Amir Ghalenoei in the aftermath of the Asian Cup in July, where they failed to go beyond the quarter-finals.

Reid has not coached or managed since leaving Coventry City in 2005. He has since become a FIFA registered agent and appears on TV in Asia as an English Premier League analyst.

Former Cameroon coach Winfried Schaefer was quoted as saying by German media last week that Iran were keen to recruit him.