EVERTON are considering a senior role for Iranian legend Ali Daei, according to reports.
The former Bayern Munich striker holds the all-time international goalscoring record, with 109 in 149 games.
Iran legend Ali Daei could be set for a senior role at Everton
He won the Bundesliga title with Bayern in 1999, and has also played for Hertha Berlin and Arminia Bielefeld.
Daei has coached the Iran national side, as well as six clubs in the football-mad Middle East nation.
Reports in Germany now claim Everton are in talks with the 51-year-old about working together.
Club owner Farhad Moshiri, 65, was born in Iran before moving to the UK in the late Seventies.
World-respected magazine Kicker said rumours are rife that Daei will land a role at Goodison Park.
Boss Carlo Ancelotti’s position is not thought to be under threat, although the Toffees have slumped to ninth after heading the Premier League table earlier this season.
Daei currently runs his own sportswear company.
His last management job, with Tehran club Saipa, ended last year.
MEN’S ALL-TIME TOP INTERNATIONAL GOALSCORERS
- Ali Daei – Iran – 109 goals – 149 caps
- Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal – 102 goals – 169 caps
- Mokhtar Dahari – Malaysia – 88 goals – 131 caps
- Ferenc Puskás – Hungary – 84 goals – 85 caps
- Godfrey Chitalu – Zambia – 79 goals – 111 caps
- Hussein Saeed – Iraq – 78 goals – 137 caps
- Pelé – Brazil – 77 goals – 92 caps
- Kunishige Kamamoto – Japan – 75 goals – 76 caps
=8 Bashar Abdullah – Kuwait – 75 goals – 134 caps10. Sunil Chhetri – India – 72 goals – 115 caps
=10. Majed Abdullah – Saudi Arabia – 72 goals – 117 caps
But a source close to the former Iran captain said: “His ambition remains undiminished.”
Daei was an unused sub as Manchester United famously scored twice late on to beat Bayern 2-1 in the 1999 Champions League final.
He played for Iranian sides Persepolis, Saba Battery and Saipa, as well as clubs in Qatar and the UAE, before hanging up his boots in 2007.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk