Materazzi's father contacted by Iran for coaching job

AP - Marco Materazzi's father could become the next coach of Iran. Giuseppe "Beppe" Materazzi, who resigned as coach of Serie B club Bari in December, said the Iranian soccer federation had contacted him for the job.

"They asked what my availability was for coaching the (Iranian) national team and I responded right away that I was available and enthusiastic," the elder Materazzi was quoted as saying Tuesday by the Italian news agency ANSA.

"I saw a game between Iran and Syria that ended 0-0," the coach added. "It's a team with good individual (skills). I would be more than happy to go to Tehran and coach the team."

Iran is in Group 5 of Asia's World Cup qualifying tournament with Kuwait, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.


Iran is without a coach since Javier Clemente's deal to lead the team fell apart earlier this month because of the Spaniard's refusal to live full-time in the country.

Amir Ghalenoei led Iran until it was eliminated from the Asian Cup quarterfinals in July.

Besides Bari, Materazzi has also coached Pisa, Lazio, Brescia, Piacenza and Venezia in Serie A. He led the Beijing club Tian-Jin in 2002.

Marco Materazzi, a defender with Inter Milan, was the recipient of Zinedine Zidane's head butt in the 2006 World Cup final.