Javier Clemente's dream of managing the Iranian football team from his home in Bilbao are beginning to fade following comments by the general secretary of the Iranian Football Federation, Ali Kjafashian, who is quoted in yesterday's El Mundo as saying "we don't want a remote control trainer."

Clemente had insisted on a clause allowing him to continue living in Bilbao and travelling out to Iran ten days before each international, on the premise that "to be the Iranian coach, I don't need to live there. You can only watch one live game at a time and you study the rest on video. As far as I know, videos work the same in Tehran as in Zarautz."

However, Kjafashian, who admits that a new contract with a clause only allowing Clemente two return trips to Spain each year, has not yet been signed, has responded by threatening "we don't want a flying coach and if Javier Clemente does not accept our conditions, we'll have to consider other alternatives." 

Former Spanish boss to coach Iran
By: thinkSPAIN
Friday, January 25, 2008

According to the Mehdi Taj, who is the deputy head of the Iranian Football Federation (FFI), Javier Clemente has signed a three-year deal worth around €30,000 euros a month to coach the Iranian national team.

Clemente, who coached Spain between 1992-1998 and who achieved domestic league and cup success with Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid, was sacked as Serbian national coach last month after failing to steer them to this summer's Euro 2008 finals.

The Basque coach, who is recovering from recent back surgery, confirmed last night that he will make a final decision after a visit to Tehran next Wednesday for Iran's forthcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Syria.

Should he decide to accept the offer, his primary objective will be 2010 World Cup qualification - the other teams in Iran's qualifying group are Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Syria.

The post has been vacant since July last year when Amir Ghalenoei was sacked after Iran were beaten in the quarter finals of the Asian Cup by South Korea.