SINGAPORE: Former Iran boss Afshin Ghotbi has signed up to assist Curacao manager Patrick Kluivert for the Caribbean island’s World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador next month.

Ghotbi, who has previously held assistant coach roles with the United States and South Korea, had been out of work since leaving Japanese club Shimzu S Pulse last year.

The 51-year-old was optimistic of success with the former Netherlands, AC Milan and Barcelona striker Kluivert, believing Curacao could surprise in the third round of CONCACAF qualifying having already knocked out Cuba in the previous round. Curacao, who became FIFA members in 2011, host El Salvador on September 4 with the return leg four days later.