New York Times Q. & A. With Afshin Ghotbi

Afshin Ghotbi had an interview with Jack Bell of The New York Times Soccer Blog three days before he was appointed the Head Coach of the Iranian National team.

The interview is interesting from a few different perspectives, but what intrigues most in fans in North America is the fact that he is, like many of us, is considered an Iranian –American.

Q. & A. With New Iran Coach Afshin Ghotbi

A few years ago I got into some trouble with a couple of fellow Iranians who lived in Europe for using this term. Apparently there being an Iranian-Something is not as a recognized thing in Europe as it is in America. We have Mexican-Americans, Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans; we even have African-Americans and Asian-Americans that do not necessarily single out any one particular country, but cover the entire continents. I mean I was technically born in Asia and should fall under Asian-American, but this term is only reserved for East Asians. But I am digressing!

I think Iranian fans adopted Ghotbi because they considered him an outsider who was nonetheless one of them. Apparently he got yet another very warm welcome at the airport yesterday when he arrived.

Anyway, read the interview. I think you’ll enjoy it.