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.
