Iran Unhappy With Clemente the Commuter

Javier Clemente has signed a contract to manage Iran through World Cup 2010 qualification, but has fallen out with his new bosses before even getting his feet under the desk. Mostly because he wants his desk to stay in Spain. Seems Clemente’s plan was to live at home in Bilbao and then travel to Tehran for games. But that’s not going to fly.

“We do not accept a coach who just flies in-and-out. If he does, then the contract will be anulled,” said Iranian vice-president and Physical Education Organisation head Mohammad Ali Abadi.. “It is not acceptable for us. A coach who is only here four or five days before a match will not reach his goals.”

Abadi failed to add “no pun intended,” so maybe it was.

One one hand it’s hard to disagree with Abadi. If Clemente is coaching the team it’s surely beneficial for him to spend a good chunk of time in Iran. Especially with the majority of Team Melli playing their football in the domestic league.

On the other hand: Jurgen Klinsmann. He lived all the way out in California while managing Germany, and took an unfancied team all the way to the World Cup semifinals.

More importantly, Iran need to to make a decision quick. They’ve been without a permanent coach since Amir Ghalenoei departed following the disappointing Asian Cup quarterfinal exit in July 2007, and have made a poor start to World Cup 2010 qualifying by drawing with the part-timers of Syria.