BRUSSELS: Belgian Marc Wilmots announced he was leaving his position as coach of Iran after six matches in charge which included a 14-0 victory over Cambodia, he said on Twitter.
“Contrary to the information published in the Iranian press, no amicable agreement between the Iranian federation, myself and my staff has been found,” he posted on Wednesday.
“We are in negotiations in order to find an amicable solution after a failure to respect contractual obligations by the Iranian federation after the justified termination of the contract,” Wilmots, who led Belgium’s golden generation to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, added.
The ex-Belgium boss took charge of Team Melli in May after a six-game stint with the Ivory Coast in 2017.
In November he also said on the platform he and his staff were in an “intolerable situation” due to serious contractual violations by the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI).
Earlier in the year, the Belga news agency reported the FFIRI had paid Wilmots late and he had threatened to resign with his contract running until the 2022 World Cup.
Iran sit in third place in their qualifying group for Qatar with six points from four games after defeats to Iraq and Bahrain, the two countries in the spots to reach the tournament in three years’ time.
Croatian Branko Ivankovic has been linked by German and Belgian press to replace Wilmots.
Wilmots resigns as Iran coach
Wilmots resigns as Iran coach
- Marc Wilmots: Contrary to the information published in the Iranian press, no amicable agreement between the Iranian federation, myself and my staff has been found
- Iran sit in third place in their qualifying group for Qatar with six points from four games after defeats to Iraq and Bahrain
FIA president praises Saudi Arabia boost of Dakar Rally
- Mohammed Ben Sulayem will attend the climax of the 48th edition at the weekend
DUBAI: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has praised Saudi Arabia for helping the Dakar Rally emerge as one of the world’s top events, and boosting the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.
Ben Sulayem will attend the 48th edition of the legendary race as it reaches its climax at the weekend.
The opening round of the championship has attracted a record 72 entries. It will also mark the launch of the new FIA Master Drivers’ Championship, and the entry of Defender as a new manufacturer.
Ben Sulayem will be welcomed on Friday by Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.
The FIA president, who will speak at the closing ceremony on Saturday evening, said the event “continues to go from strength to strength.”
He added that the race now has a “record numbers of entries, new manufacturers, and ever-increasing competition in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, reflecting the continued global growth of motorsport.”
He thanked Prince Khalid and the federation “for hosting another outstanding event and delivering a truly world-class experience for competitors, fans, and all those involved.”
Joining Ben Sulayem on his visit will be Malcolm Wilson, the FIA’s deputy president for sport.
“The 2026 edition of the Dakar Rally continues to showcase both the growth of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and the strength of Cross-Country rallying as a whole,” said Wilson.
He added that it was “encouraging to see three manufacturers – Toyota, Dacia and Ford – all increasing their presence,” and welcomed Defender in the Stock category.
