Clemente rejects Iranian national team coaching job

DPA - Spanish coach Javier Clemente has rejected the coaching job of Iran's national football team, Iranian Football Federation (FFI) president Ali Kafshian told ISNA news agency Monday. Clemente has informed the Iranian embassy in Madrid that he would not accept the Iranian condition to permanently stay in Iran and therefore rejected the job, Kafashian said.

"With regards to Clemente's negative reply, we will tomorrow (Tuesday) start evaluating the other candidates," the FFI president added.

Despite the agreed-upon contract between Clemente and the FFI, the two sides had been in dispute over the coach's demand not to stay permanently in the country, but rather visit Iran when necessary.

Iran's sports organization, which is affiliated to the government, also said that Iran did not need a "flying coach" and warned that if Clemente did not stay in Iran his contract would be nullified.

The FFI had earlier Monday rejected a demand by Clemente to extend by 48 hours the deadline to commit to coaching the national side.

Clemente has been told by the FFI that he had until Monday to say whether he was taking the job or not.

"Today is the deadline and we will no longer wait - if he does not come, then we will no longer consider him for the job and look for other options," ISNA quoted FFI deputy Mehdi Taj as saying.

"Keeping Iran's dignity has top priority - we will not beg Clemente to come to Iran," Taj said.

According to local press reports, Clemente has stressed that a permanent stay in Iran would not be necessary. He is also said to prefer following the Iranian football league games using videos or satellite from Bilbao rather than live in Iran.

The dispute has even been sent to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for ordering a swift settlement as further delays could seriously endanger the Iranian national football team's qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Iran, the only Asian side without a head coach, began their World Cup qualification game with a disappointing goalless draw against Syria on February 6 in Tehran. The second game will be against Kuwait next month.

ISNA accused Clemente of being arrogant and having an unprofessional approach and called on the FFI to force the Spaniard to adequately respect Iran and country's national football team.

If the deal with Clemente was not finalized, Iran might refer again to previous options, including German coaches, or in the worst case appoint a local coach.

Among local favourites are Afshin Qotbi, coach of local league leader Persepolis Tehran, and former national team skipper Ali Daei who last year won the league title with outsider Saipa Tehran in his first year as coach.