Iran to Name New Coach on Saturday – But Who are the Candidates?

Ali Kafashian, the head of Iranian Football Federation (IFF), announced on Friday that "the new coach will be named on Saturday, after a meeting of IFF board members". He added that Clemente is now out of the running. "Clemente was expected to visit Iran embassy in Spain on Thursday, to hold further talks. We had even made arrangements for lunch, but he contacted us and said he can't come to the meeting, so we will not be thinking about him anymore".

According to Iranian state television, there are now 3 choices for Team Melli. So who are these candidates?

Afshin Ghotbi
Afshin the Emperor, the man who learned his trade from Guus Hiddink, the man who brought football and joy back to Perspolis, the man who would lead the table with Perspolis overwhelmingly if it wasn't for the 6 points deduction by FIFA.
Pros: His team is unbeatable from the 60th minute onwards and Perspolis has had more 2nd half comebacks than anyone else in the league. Among domestic coaches he is probably the most knowledgeable, and in his short time with Perspolis, he has shown he has the tactical knowledge to coach at the highest level.
Cons: Despite his knowledge and everything, he is not there yet to be national team coach.
ISP Prediction: Ghotbi is the fans favourite, as in a poll of over 800,000 fans on 90 football show, he received 70% of the votes. Obviously what speaks for him are the people and the fact that after this debâcle of historic measure by IFF to find a head coach in 6 months, something Iraq's and Afghanistan's FA's managed in an hour, would be the option to save face. But, he has unfinished business at Perspolis, and he maybe knows that himself that he still has to finish that in order to become national team head coach. On the other hand, he knows too, that if he doesn't become national team head coach now, he might never do.
Odds: Even (1 to 1). The obvious choice, but IFF doesn't always go for obvious and best choices.

Amir Ghalenoie
Amir Ghalenoie, translated in French Amir Neuchatel or in English Amir Newcastle, is ready to get a second chance, or is he?
Pros: His record in terms of winning.
Cons: His personality, his entourage being longer than that of a Saudi Arabia player on trial at Manchester City, and the fact that against South Korea he didn't make any decent substitution in 120 minutes but instead brought in a cold goalkeeper for the penalty shootout, a gamble that didn't pay off. His lack of tactical understanding and the fact that he believes he is Marcelo Lippi, is also another thing against him.
ISP Prediction: Given that Iran is the Newcastle United of Asian football (hasn't won anything in a long while, huge expectations of fans, no patience at all) and Newcastle just recently warmed up an old relationship with Mr Kevin "I will luv it if we beat them" Keegan, the question is: wouldn't it be nice to have a Newcastle type coach in charge of Asia's Newcastle again? The answer is a big NO!
Odds: 10 to 1. They won't dare!!!!!

MK and MJ
With MK and MJ we are not talking about Mary Kate Olsen and Michael Jackson but the duo of Mayelikohan and Majid Jalali.
Pros: Nothing! It is really hard to see how these two were thrown into the equation at all. One only has to look at the disastrous work these two did when they were coaching Saipa together and how it worked out. So who in his right state of mind would make these two coach the team? The Answer: IFF!
Cons: Everything!
ISP Prediction: While the odds for these two to be appointed on Saturday are relatively long, but the decision maker is IFF, so anything is possible. Also, not a long time ago Majid Jalali wrote a letter to President Ahmadinejad about his worries for Team Melli, and this will increase his chances. This is a match made in paradise (IFF version of paradise).
Odds: 5 to 1

Javier Clemente
Everything to be said about him has been said in the past month. He is the top choice, but for some reason, the two sides failed to reach a compromise, and now he seems only an outsider, and even IFF officials now say that a miracle is needed for Clemente to be appointed on Saturday.
ISP Prediction: We know it won't happen.
Odds: 100 to 1