John Duerden
Asia Editor, goal.com

Last week, Spanish daily Marca asked Javier Clemente why he is going to Iran. The 57 year-old replied: “what else am I going to do at my age? Paint the Mona Lisa?”

In Iran, Clemente has the colours and the brushes to paint a fair Persian picture but he needs to be provided with a clean canvas.

It is a good moment for Iranian football fans. The arrival of the experienced Spaniard at Tehran on Saturday night would have brought a smile to the face of the most disillusioned of Team Melli followers. It may have come just days before the first game of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers but better late than never.

Past weeks have seen reported rejections from the likes of Pim Verbeek, Peter Reid, Graeme Souness and Rudi Krol among others. While Asian rivals Japan, South Korea and Australia sorted their coaching problems in December, Iran were still without a coach on January 30 when Costa Rica visited the Iranian capital.

Contracts have still not been signed – this should happen Sunday morning – but surely, even in the roller-coaster world of Iranian football, there will be no last-minute hiccups this time. The Spaniard will be in charge of the team on Wednesday for the opening Group E game with Syria in the imposing Azadi Stadium.

The problems with the powers-that-be that run Iranian football have been well-documented and led to a temporary suspension by FIFA at the end of 2006. The world governing body insisted on free elections to choose the head of the Iranian Football Federation (IFF). Like the search for a new coach, elections dragged interminably and the eventual winner was 'elected' unopposed.

That matters little to fans in Iran if the team is performing on the pitch and the job of the IFF now is to fade into the background while at the same time giving Clemente whatever he needs. The new man has a resume that compares favourably with any other coach involved in Asian football. Spells with the Spanish and Serbian national teams are cushioned with an impressive host of clubs in Europe.

He cannot do it alone and he cannot do it immediately. As he said on arrival in Tehran: "My first objective is to get to know your country, learn your culture, and see your football facilities. I haven't watched Iran games since the 2006 World Cup.”

With qualification starting now, it is time for the whole of Iranian football to pull together – the federation, the government (though cynics would say they are not too different!), the clubs, the coaching staff and the players.

Since the Iran-Iraq war ended the glory days of the seventies, there hasn’t been much to cheer in Iranian football, especially in recent times. The latest Cups – World and Asian- were disappointing.

There is so much talent in the nation: from the sprawling metropolis of Tehran, to the southern city of Shiraz and to the shores of the Caspian Sea in the north – people are playing and loving the beautiful game. For too long, a lack of professionalism and problems behind the scenes has negatively impacted on the fortunes of the national team. The arrival of Clemente is a promising sign. One would hope that an experienced high-class coach would seek certain assurances before taking on such a job.

On paper, Group E doesn’t look too scary and Kuwait, Syria and UAE will likely be fighting for second place. It is not always that simple however – West Asian nations love nothing more than defeating the Iranian giant.

With the passionate backing of the fans, the talent available and his own background, Clemente should be able to steer the team through the group while getting to know the players and the system.

The real tests will come in the final round of qualification with possible fixtures against the likes of Japan, Korea and Australia. It is going to be a fascinating few months.