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.
