According to Diario AS, Spanish fitness coach Pepe Losada has joined head coach Amir Ghalenoei's Iranian coaching staff with the goal of helping the team prepare for the Asian Cup and contend for the title.

Iran is one of Asia's strongest national teams, having participated in the World Cup multiple times and consistently advancing in continental competitions. However, their last Asian Cup victory dates back to 1976. After nearly half a century, the Iranian Football Federation hopes to end this championship drought with the work of Ghalenoei and Losada. At the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, Iran remained unbeaten in the group stage, drawing with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. However, three draws were not enough for the team to advance to the knockout stage.

Losada, born in Cádiz in 1976, quickly joined Ghalenoei's Iranian coaching staff after receiving a contract from the Iranian Football Federation and a plane ticket to Uzbekistan. As a Spanish fitness coach, Losada is the only Spaniard on the team's coaching staff. The Iranian team won the Asian Cup three consecutive times in the 1970s but has not won the trophy again in 50 years.

"After the World Cup, they wanted to improve their physical conditioning. We had been talking for a while, and finally finalized the cooperation in September," Losada said. "They sent me the contract and the plane ticket, and I subsequently joined the team."

Losada began this experience with two international friendlies against Uzbekistan and Russia. The Iranian team has now begun preparations for their November matches, which include a game against Palestine and a warm-up tournament in Iraq. Afterwards, the team will fully focus on the Asian Cup held in Saudi Arabia.

Losada's arrival was not a coincidence. He had previously achieved success with Iranian powerhouse Persepolis, earning him a strong reputation in Iranian football. Losada said, "I have a good reputation there. The achievements at Persepolis were not in vain, and many players in the national team were once my students." This experience helped him quickly integrate into the team. During non-training periods, he remotely monitors the physical training of Iranian national team players through a monitoring system and personalized tracking, and maintains contact with the coaching staff.

"We will now monitor the players remotely and maintain continuous communication with the coaching staff," Losada said. "In another four to five weeks, we will have a new international break and a new training camp roster."

"We will stay until the end of the Asian Cup. Of course, we hope to compete for the championship," Losada said. "Iran won three consecutive titles in the 1970s but hasn't won since in 50 years." If the Iranian team can end this championship drought, it would be highly significant for a team that has long been a top contender in Asian football. Losada will also face a major challenge in his career. He has previously experienced war, expatriate evacuations, and the suspension of Iranian football, and now returns to Iran to help the country reclaim the Asian Cup title lost for half a century.

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