Interview with Clemente

PFDC - SPAIN, Below is an interview conducted today by Spain's AS football magazine with Javier Clemente and translated by PFDC correspondant Neissan Ansari.

You are a brave man, going to Iran at the age of 57.

And what else should I do? Remain in Bilbao to paint the Mona Lisa? I received an offer and I am ready to take it. In addition, the war is in Iraq, not in Iran. I 've been told it is quite calm over there.

The way we see it here, they are in the process of making an atomic bomb.

I don't know and I don't care. I am going there to qualify Iran's national side to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Politics don't concern me.

Is the contract signed?

I have a conditional agreement, in fact the contract is ready to put pen on it. However, first I want to travel to Tehran, to see the country and the infrastructures.

Are you bringing an assistant with you?

I'll take Vidakovic with myself. He already helped me with Serbia's national team and with someone else who I have worked with in Bilbao. I can't not say his name yet since we are still in talk.

Are you planning to live in Tehran?

No, I will be there when my football commitments demand it. I did the same with Serbia.

Javad Nekounam plays in Spain. Are you going to call him?

Of course I am going to call him. I want to invite him for a dinner in Pamplona. I want his opinion on Iranian football and life over there.

When are you going to Tehran?

Next week, probably Wednesday. I will be in the stadium to analyse the team in the friendly against Costa Rica..