Zico stands down as Iraq coach

Nov 28, 2012 |

Paris

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Brazilian legend Zico has resigned as coach of the Iraqi national team blaming a dispute over his contract.

"I would like to inform via this website that I have sent a communication to Fifa ... and to the Iraq Football Association declaring that I consider my contract to be void due to the IFA's failure to abide by its terms," he said on his internet website.

"I will provide further details shortly."

The 59-year-old midfielder was put in charge of Iraq in the summer of last year and since then his side have played 21 games, with 10 wins and six draws. Home matches have been played in Doha for security reasons.

The Iraqis are still in the running to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and are currently third in Group B of the Asia Zone final qualifiers with five points from five games, trailing second-placed Australia only on goal difference.

The top two teams qualify directly for Brazil in 2014 while the third-place team goes into a playoff system.

Prior to being coach of Iraq, Zico was in charge of several teams including Japan, Fenerbahce and CSKA Moscow.

The head coach position is currently vacant in Brazil, but Zico has always said he had no interest in that job as there was too much pressure involved.

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