🇭🇷Miroslav #Blazevic passed away today. RIP 🙏 After leading #Croatia to their 1st #FIFAWorldCup in 1998 ending 3rd, he became head coach of #Iran in January 2001. Ten months later he resigned after #TeamMelli failed to qualify for 2002 FIFA World Cup. He introduced new players⬇️
🇭🇷Miroslav #Blazevic passed away today. RIP 🙏 After leading #Croatia to their 1st #FIFAWorldCup in 1998 ending 3rd, he became head coach of #Iran in January 2001. Ten months later he resigned after #TeamMelli failed to qualify for 2002 FIFA World Cup. He introduced new players⬇️
such as Javad Nekounam, Rahman Rezaei, Alireza Nikbakht Vahedi, Mojahed Khaziravi, Ali Samereh. #Blazevic relied to #AliKarimi sr as playmaker of #TeamMelli. He used Ebrahim Mirzapour as 1st-choice GK breaking the tradition of #Iran 1st GKs coming from Persepolis & Esteghlal. ⬇️
#Blazevic's assistant Branko #Ivankovic took benefit from this job: he became the new head coach and led #Iran to 2004 AFC #AsianCup and 2006 #FIFAWorldCup with a tested team. Curiously Blazevic had rivalry with 🇭🇷 Tomislav Ivic, who coached #TeamMelli for a short time in 1998.