The Asian Football Confederation has announced that Hakeem Shakir has been named Iraq's head coach, ending speculation that Argentinian legend Diego Maradona would be chosen for the job.
The confederation said on December 30 that the Iraqi soccer association had confirmed the decision to promote the 49-year-old Shakir to head coach after he served as caretaker since November following the resignation of Brazilian coach Zico.
The Baghdad-born Shakir led Iraq to the finals of the under-19 Asian championship and the West Asian championships in 2012.
Shakir's first assignment after his full-time appointment will be the Gulf Cup starting in Bahrain next week.
The 51-year-old Maradona has been jobless since being fired this summer as manager of the United Arab Emirates team Al-Wasl.
The confederation said on December 30 that the Iraqi soccer association had confirmed the decision to promote the 49-year-old Shakir to head coach after he served as caretaker since November following the resignation of Brazilian coach Zico.
The Baghdad-born Shakir led Iraq to the finals of the under-19 Asian championship and the West Asian championships in 2012.
Shakir's first assignment after his full-time appointment will be the Gulf Cup starting in Bahrain next week.
The 51-year-old Maradona has been jobless since being fired this summer as manager of the United Arab Emirates team Al-Wasl.