Iran Head Coach Carlos Queiroz has denounced Jürgen Klinsmann’s comments about the Iranian team on a BBC broadcast.
During a post-match segment with a co-presenter, Klinsmann rattled off several recent failures on Queiroz’s resume with stints as coach of Colombia and Egypt.
In contradiction to his own tenure, Klinsmann was terminated by U.S. Soccer in 2016 for his failed attempt at leading the US Men’s National Team (USMNT)
Ultimately, Klinsmann revealed his envy toward Iran’s display of elite soccer in their victory over Wales.
“You saw the bench always jumping up, working the fourth official and the linesman,” Klinsmann remarked, “constantly in their ears, constantly in your face.”
The Iran boss Queiroz did not take the comments about his team lightly.
“No matter how much I can respect what you did on the pitch,” Queiroz declared. “Those remarks about my players are a disgrace to football,”
Klinsmann emphasized that Queiroz took his comments out of “context.”
“All I described was their emotional way of doing things, which is admirable in a certain way,” Klinsmann retracted. “The whole bench lives the game. Carlos is constantly on the sidelines trying to give his players energy.”
As a result, Queiroz offered Klinsmann a spurious invitation to engage with Team Melli inside their training camp.
“Socialize with Iran players,” Queiroz said. “And listen to how much they love and respect football.”
During an interview with BBC breakfast on Sunday, Jürgen Klinsmann offered a conciliatory approach to make amends with Carlos.
“I will try calling him and calm things down.”
It remains to be seen if Klinsmann accepts the invitation to meet & greet at Iran’s training facility in Doha.
However, should the 1990 World Cup winner attend, Klinsmann could partake in Iran’s success and speak supportively on future broadcasts. Contrarily, the former Germany 2006 coach has a history with Iran.
On the contrary, it’s unlikely since the former striker is remembered for his hostile celebration at World Cup 1998.
Then, Jürgen Klinsmann scored the 2nd goal against Iran on matchday three in that tournament. Afterward, he stepped inside Iran’s goalmouth, tugging the net with clenched fists. Not to mention an expression that exuded animosity after scoring a goal that defeated Iran 2-0.
There may be validity to Carlos Queiroz’s opinion about Klinsmann’s bitter dissension toward Iran’s success.
“As an American German, we understand you’re no supporter.” Queiroz retorted. Then, he twisted his generous invitation into a plea for Klinsmann to proffer resignation as a member of the FIFA “Technical Study Group” for Qatar 2022.
“We expect you to resign before you visit our camp,” Queiroz reveals. The Portuguese-native insinuates that his invitation for Klinsmann to visit Iran’s camp was spurious.
On Sunday, U.S. Soccer declared that they are in “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.” As a result, a U.S. Soccer social media post about Group B standings reveals an idealized Iran flag.
Instead of displaying the official flag emblazoned with Arabic calligraphy, the post showed horizontal green, white, and red stripes.
After the screenshot went viral, an updated post replaced the flag with the official version: its center spells “God,” with horizontal rhythmic repetitions “God is Great” thirteen times in Arabic.
On Tuesday, the USMNT plays against Iran, which has a ‘home-field advantage’ at Al Thumama Stadium. It will be a rematch of their World Cup 1998 showdown.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Ulmer/Teamfoto
