Will an American lead Iran's most popular institution? Posted by Max Bergmann

Afshin Ghotbi, a 43 year old Iranian-born American citizen who has spent the vast majority of his life outside of Iran, was hired to coach Persepolis FC Tehran's most popular soccer club. Ghotbi is a UCLA grad and was actually an assistant to the USA team that lost to Iran in the 1998 world cup and was formerly an assistant coach to David Beckham's LA Galaxy.

Under Ghotbi's stewardship Persepolis FC has gotten off to a fast start this season. Leading to lots of gossip that Ghotbi may be the right man to lead Iran's fledgling national team. John Duerdon in the Guardian writes,

Ghotbi is already being talked about as the next manager of an underachieving national team. Iran is home to some of the continent's most talented players but...failed to collect more than a single point in Germany or progress past the quarter-finals of the 2007 Asian Cup. Currently, Iran don't have a manager...

Ghotbi seems a perfect choice but in Iran, it is never that simple. In a nation where all but two top-flight clubs are financed by a state industry, football and politics are never far apart.

Iran, like most soccer crazed countries, places much national pride in the fortunes of their national team, which has already led to the breaking of many social taboos, especially regarding the role of women. Putting an American in charge of such an important national  institution would certainly be ground breaking.

Here are some highlights of Persepolis' dramatic recent 3-2 victory (they are in red and Afshin Ghotbi is seen celebrating at around the 3rd minute)...