THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD — Serbian coach Bora Milutinovic officially took over the Iraqi national football team on Thursday, signing his contract during a ceremony in Baghdad.
Milutinovic said lingering violence in Iraq did not deter him from accepting the post, and indicated that training will begin Monday to prepare for the Confederations Cup in South Africa in June.
"I am happy to be here in Iraq and I will use my expertise to make a competitive team for the Confederations Cup," said Milutinovic, who declined to specify the length of the contract.
Milutinovic has led five different teams to World Cup tournaments, including the United States and Mexico.
He last coached Jamaica but was let go in 2007 in a contract dispute.
Iraq won the Asia Cup in 2007 under Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira. He was fired in February after a disappointing performance at the Gulf Cup.
Najih Hamoud, a senior Iraqi football federation official, expressed confidence that Milutinovic will help the team excel at the Confederations Cup.
"We think the Iraqi team will perform well in South Africa," said Hamoud.