Zico agreed to a one-year contract late Sunday after two days of negotiations, Iraq Football Federation President Najih Hamoud told The Associated Press by phone Monday.

"The deal with Zico is done and he started his work with our team," Hamoud said. "We hope to see good results by Zico and our national team."

German coach Wolfgang Sidka was released this month at the end of his $500,000, one-year contract. Hamoud declined to say how much the 58-year-old Brazilian would be paid although he is expected to get a bonus for every game Iraq wins.

Iraq won the Asian Cup in 2007, but its trophy defense ended in the quarterfinals in January, and the team was surprisingly knocked out of the Gulf Cup by Kuwait last November.

Global Arab Network

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