Casas says he was hurt by the way his dismissal was handled after Iraq’s loss to Palestine in World Cup qualifiers.

Former Iraq national team head coach Jesus Casas has spoken out emotionally following his sudden dismissal, accusing the Iraqi Football Federation of launching a smear campaign against him and leaking his private contract details to the public.

In an interview with Spain’s Radio Marca, Casas admitted he is struggling with the aftermath of his departure, which came just days after Iraq’s surprise 2-0 defeat to Palestine in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

“I'm not well. I feel pain, both on a sporting level and personally,” Casas said. “But this is football, and we have to get over what happened and move forward. I was a victim of a culture of haste. When we lost to Palestine, the decision was made to get rid of me.”

The Spanish coach revealed that the federation had proposed a new contract with an 8% salary cut—terms he says were never part of the original agreement. After rejecting the new offer, Casas claims the federation retaliated by leaking his contract online.

“After I rejected it, my contract was all over social media and the news,” he added. “Then came false accusations—first about taxes, now they're even saying I breached the contract. It feels deliberate.”

Casas coached Iraq in 33 matches, securing 20 wins, 4 draws, and 9 losses. Under his leadership, Iraq also clinched the 2023 Gulf Cup title—an emotional triumph for the “Lions of Mesopotamia” and their fans.

Despite his achievements, the fallout has left Casas disillusioned.

“This isn’t just about football anymore,” he said. “There needs to be respect—not just for me, but for the players and the work we put in.”

His comments have sparked renewed debate in Iraq’s football community, with fans and pundits questioning the federation’s handling of the situation and calling for more transparency in the national team’s management.