Iran’s head coach Carlos Queiroz denounced Jürgen Klinsmann’s comments about the Iranian team in a BBC broadcast.
During a post-game segment with a co-anchor, Klinsmann rattled off several recent failings on Queiroz’s résumé with stints as Colombia and Egypt coach.
In contradiction to his own tenure, US Soccer fired Klinsmann in 2016 for his failed bid to lead the US Men’s National Team (USMNT).
Finally, Klinsmann revealed his envy for Iran’s display of elite football in their win over Wales.
Jürgen Klinsmann’s criticism of Iran
“You would see the bench always jumping, the fourth official and the linesman working,” Klinsmann said, “constantly in their ears, constantly in your face.”
Iran boss Queiroz did not take the comments about his team lightly.
“It doesn’t matter how much I can respect what you did on the court,” Queiroz declared. Those comments about my players are a shame for football.
Klinsmann emphasized that Queiroz took his comments out of “context.”
“All I described was his emotional way of doing things, which is admirable in a way,” Klinsmann retracted. “The entire bench lives the game. Carlos is constantly on the sidelines trying to energize his players.”
As a result, Queiroz offered Klinsmann a fake invitation to participate with Team Melli within their training camp.
“Socialize with the players from Iran,” Queiroz said. “And hear how much they love and respect football.”
During an interview with the BBC breakfast on Sunday, Jürgen Klinsmann offered a conciliatory approach to making peace with Carlos.
“I’ll try to call him and calm things down.”
It remains to be seen if Klinsmann accepts the invitation to meet and greet at Iran’s training facility in Doha.
However, if the 1990 World Cup winner were to attend, Klinsmann could share in Iran’s success and speak supportively on future broadcasts. By contrast, the former Germany 2006 coach has a history with Iran.
World Cup 1998 – Germany vs. Iran, group match
To the contrary, it is unlikely as the former striker is remembered for his hostile celebration at the 1998 World Cup.
Jürgen Klinsmann then scored the second goal against Iran on matchday three of that tournament. Then he entered the Iran goal, pulling 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 view of Klinsmann’s bitter dissent toward Iran’s success.
“As a German American, we understand that you are not a supporter.” Queiroz replied. He then turned his generous invitation into a plea for Klinsmann to resign as a member of FIFA’s “Technical Study Group” for Qatar 2022.
“We hope you quit before you visit our camp,” Queiroz reveals. The Portuguese native insinuates that his invitation for Klinsmann to visit the Iran camp was false.
US soccer stands in solidarity with Iranian women
On Sunday, US Soccer stated that they stand “in support of women in Iran who are fighting for basic human rights.” As a result, a US Soccer social media post about the Group B standings reveals an idealized Iran flag.
Instead of displaying the official flag emblazoned with Arabic calligraphy, the post featured green, white, and red horizontal stripes.
After the screenshot went viral, an updated post replaced the flag with the official version: Its center spells out “God,” with rhythmic horizontal repeats of “God is great” thirteen times in Arabic.
On Tuesday, the USMNT plays Iran, who have a ‘home advantage’ at Al Thumama Stadium. It will be a rematch of their 1998 World Cup clash.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Ulmer/Teamfoto
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