Clemente fails to finalize Iran contract during Tehran stay

DPA - Former Spain coach Javier Clemente has failed to finalize his contract with the Iranian Football Federation (FFI) during his four-day stay in Tehran, the president of the FFI said Wednesday. Ali Kafashian told news network Khabar that although the final contract had been drawn up, Clemente would leave Tehran Thursday morning without having made up his mind about whether he will coach Iran's national football team or not.

Kafashian said that Clemente has said that he would announce his final decision early next week.

He added that in case the Spaniard rejects the offer, Iran would look for other foreign coaches or even local trainers.

Local sports sources say that FFI officials are not overly confident that they will secure Clemente's services and could once again look for German coaches. There had already been indirect contacts between the FFI and Peter Neururer, Lothar Matthaeus and Juergen Kohler.

Clemente arrived in Tehran Sunday morning, held talks with FFI officials and watched the national team training as well as the disappointing goalless draw on Wednesday against Syria in the first World Cup qualification game of Asia group 5.

Clemente refused to comment on the game to state television and has generally had, according to local sports reporters, a rather uncooperative approach towards the press.

One of the main stumbling blocks between Clemente and the FFI is said to be the coach's demand not to stay permanently in the country, but rather only come to Iran when working as the country's national team coach.

Kafashian at first rejected the request, but later showed more flexibility.

During his stay in Tehran, Clemente has once again stressed that he would not stay in Iran permanently.

The Iranian team is the only Asian side without a head coach.