PARIS - Enticed to the Middle East by bumper contracts and the intrigue of new frontiers, Zico and Frank Rijkaard head a list of elite coaches whose reputations are on the line in Asia's 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Iraq coach Zico and his Saudi Arabia counterpart Rijkaard reflect the changing sporting landscape of a region thrust into the global spotlight by Qatar's sensational victory in the race to host the 2022 World Cup.
Zico and Rijkaard are both tied to lucrative salaries, while former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz's contract at the helm of the Iran national team is worth around R16million a year.
Neither Zico, Rijkaard nor Queiroz have coached in the region before and all inherited teams bruised by a disappointing Asian Cup run.
Coaches look to Mid-East
PARIS - Enticed to the Middle East by bumper contracts and the intrigue of new frontiers, Zico and Frank Rijkaard head a list of elite coaches whose reputations are on the line in Asia's 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Iraq coach Zico and his Saudi Arabia counterpart Rijkaard reflect the changing sporting landscape of a region thrust into the global spotlight by Qatar's sensational victory in the race to host the 2022 World Cup.
Zico and Rijkaard are both tied to lucrative salaries, while former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz's contract at the helm of the Iran national team is worth around R16million a year.
Neither Zico, Rijkaard nor Queiroz have coached in the region before and all inherited teams bruised by a disappointing Asian Cup run.
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