Sofia: Bulgaria volleyball coach Martin Stoev has turned down a lucrative offer to take the reins of Iran due to safety concerns, Bulgarian media reported on Friday.

There was a tempting offer but I declined the invitation, Stoev told daily newspaper 24 Chasa.

"The 35-year-old, who guided Bulgaria to third place at the world championships in Japan last year, was unmoved even when he was offered an oil well by the Iranian federation''s representative," sources said.

"I told him that Iran may go to war soon, so I''d need a gun to keep the well,; the newspaper quoted him as saying. Iran are seeking a new coach after Serb Milorad Kijac, who led the team in Japan, " sources said.