Clemente Will Live In Tehran To Coach Team

GOAL - Javier Clemente has reportedly agreed to the Iranian Football Federation [IFF] condition to stay in the country and accepted the Iran national team post.

According to reports in Iran, the former Spain coach has made up his mind to live in Iran and coach the national team.

Clemente and the IFF previously failed to agree terms because the Spaniard wanted to live in Spain and manage the side when there are international matches.

Iran state television in a brief headline, without providing further details, reported: "By telephone, Clemente accepted Iran's condition of living in Iran all the time."

On Monday, IFF chief Ali Kafashian, had insisted the new national coach will be an Iranian. Five homegrown candidates were shortlisted. Afshin Qotbi, the Iranian-American coach managing Iran Pro League side Persepolis, was reportedly the front-runner for the job.

Italian coach Guiseppe Materazzi later claimed on Tuesday he was approached by IFF officials about taking over as Iran manager. The 62-year-old, father of Inter Milan defender Marco, has been unemployed since he was fired by Italian Serie B side Bari in December.

He said: "They [the Iranian Federation directors] asked me if I was available to coach the national side. I immediately said I was available and keen to do so."

IFF spokesman Mehdi Taj, however, denied they approached Materazzi.

"We had no talks with the Italian coach and it appears that he is saying it to make a name for himself," he told the Fars news agency.

Without a full-time national coach, Iran made a disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign when they were held to a draw by Syria in their opening match.

Joel Morrison