By DPA
Tehran : Spain’s Javier Clemente has officially accepted the job of coaching Iran’s national football team and will begin his new job next month, the Iranian Football Federation (FFI) has announced.
FFI President Ali Kafashian Monday told state television that Clemente would come to Tehran as soon as part of his salary was transferred to his account in Spain.
He would come to the Iranian capital before the nation’s second World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on March 26, media here reported.
Referring to Clemente’s preference to stay in Spain, Kafashian said that according to the contract inked, the new coach would have to stay in Iran most of the time.
One of the main stumbling blocks between Clemente and the FFI was said to have been the coach’s demand not to stay permanently in the country, but rather visit Iran when necessary.
His demand was met with a negative reaction in Iran and the local press wrote that the national team could not afford “a flying Spaniard” en route to the World Cup.
Kafashian said that the contract with Clemente would be for three years, regardless of whether Iran reaches the World Cup or not.
Sports insiders however doubt that the FFI could stand up to the huge local pressure in case of a failure to qualify for the World Cup, and justify keeping Clemente in Iran.
According to unconfirmed reports, Clemente would get a total of around two million euros ($2.9 million) for the whole three years.
The FFI had earlier issued an ultimatum and told Clemente it wanted a decision by Monday on the offer.
Iran, the only Asian side without a head coach, began their World Cup qualification journey with a disappointing goalless draw against Syria last Wednesday in Tehran.