Iran in talks with Daum

Iran are in talks to make sacked Bayer Leverkusen coach Christoph Daum their leader at the 2002 World Cup.

Iranian press sources say a contract could be agreed in the next week for Daum to take charge of qualifying and then possible at the finals in 2002 in Japan and South Korea.

Daum has also visited Iran on goodwill trips and is now in talks with Iranian officials from his Florida base.

Daum led Besiktas to success in the early 1990s and twice saw Leverkusen fail narrowly to win the Geman title. Hee was always the first choice to coach the German national team for senior figures at the DfB.

Daum failed a drug test last month which he took against all advice to try and clear his name after DfB director and Bayern Munich commercial manager Uli Hoeness appeared to back claims in a Munich newspaper that Daum took cocaine at orgies with prostitutes.

Hoeness was sued for defamation and the drug test was meant to be part of Daum's evidence in a case which was later dropped after peace talks with the DfB, Leverkusen and Bayern bosses.

Hoeness backed away from his comments which were misrepresented by the media he said and Daum retained powerful supporters in the DfB to make him the new Germany coach until he failed the drug test which was his own idea in the first place.

The first test was to determine use of cocaine, cannabis and two other drugs. Daum tested positive for one substance prompting his sacking by Leverkusen.

The DfB also dissolved an agreement reached with Daum to coach to Germany after the hair and blood tests at a Cologne laboratory.

Daum claimed the day of his sacking - October 21st - that the Cologne lab had a second test which would prove negative but the medics denied any second sample existed. By this time Daum was on his way to Florida.

Two investigations were then launched into drug links and Daum and his offices at Bayer Leverkusen were searched.

A further two investigations are continuing into claims of a property fraud in Malaga in 1996 made by a former business partner of Daum's.

Daum's lawyers said earlier this month that the coach had undergone a second test for cocaine in Florida which had proved negative. He was expected back in Germany to take further drug tests but has so far not returned.

Japan prevented Diego Maradona from attending the Toyota Cup match this week to support Boca Juniors due to his cocaine record and appointing Daum could place the Iranians in a controversial position if they qualify for the finals.

Iran want a European coach to take charge of their 2002 bid. They hammered Guam 19-0 last week and beat Tajikistan 2-0 a few days ago to ensure their progress to the next stage of the Asian qualifying round which is completed next year.