Jurgen Klinsmann says his comments about the Iran national team were taken out of context and intends to speak to Carlos Queiroz to ‘calm things down’.
The former Germany and USA manager had been on punditry duty for the BBC during Iran’s 2-0 win over Wales in the World Cup on Friday, accusing the victors of gamesmanship and ‘working the referee’ – saying it was ‘part of their culture’.
But Queiroz reacted angrily to Klinsmann’s comments in a series of tweets on Saturday, saying they were a ‘disgrace to football’ and undermined his team, also calling for him to resign from FIFA’s World Cup technical study group.
Klinsmann, though, has played down the row and says he will reach out to Queiroz to explains his comments.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Sunday morning, the German said: ‘There was stuff really taken out of context. I will try to give him a call and calm things down.
‘I have never criticised Carlos or the Iranian bench. Some even thought I was criticising the referee because he didn’t do anything about the way they were behaving on the bench.
‘All I described was their emotional way of doing things, which is actually admirable in a certain way.
‘The whole bench lives the game. They’re jumping up and down and Carlos is a very emotional coach, he’s constantly on the sidelines trying to give his players all his energy and direction.’
Following Iran’s win over Wales, Klinsmann had said: ‘Carlos fits really well with the national team and their culture, he failed in South America with Colombia and then failed to qualify with Egypt, and he came in right before the World Cup with Iran, where he worked for a long time.
‘It is not by coincidence, it is part of their culture, how they play. They worked the referee. They work the linesman and fourth official, they are constantly in their ear. There were a lot of incidents we didn’t see. This is their culture, they take you off your game.’
In a string of tweets posted on Saturday, Queiroz had said: ‘Even not knowing me personally, you question my character with a typical prejudiced judgment of superiority.
‘No matter how much I can respect what you did inside the pitch, those remarks about Iran culture, Iran national team and my players are a disgrace to football.’
He continued: ‘Even saying so, we would like to invite you as our guest, to come to our national team camp, socialise with Iran players and learn from them about the country, the people of Iran, the poets and art, the algebra, all the millennial Persian culture and also listen from our players how much they love and respect Football.
‘As American/German, we understand your no support. No problem. And despite your outrageous remarks on BBC trying to undermine our efforts, sacrifices and skills, we promise you that we will not produce any judgments regarding your culture, roots and background and that you will always be welcome to our Family.
‘At the same time, we just want to follow with full attention what will be the decision of FIFA regarding your position as a member of Qatar 2022 Technical Study Group. Because, obviously, we expect you to resign before you visit our camp.’
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