Former star player Ali Daei has been named as the new coach of the Iran national football team with the job of guiding his country to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Spanish trainer Javier Clemente had been on the verge of agreeing terms with Iran last month but talks collapsed when he refused to live full time in the country -- leaving officials to search for a home grown coach.

"After examining Ali Daei's plans, he was officially named as head coach of the national team," ISNA quoted the Iranian football federation's head Ali Kafashian as saying. "Initial talks were held with Ali Daei over the past days and today we held a meeting with him where he submitted his plans to the federation," he added.

Iran made a poor start to their World Cup campaign last month by only drawing with minnows Syria. Daei will now be charged with preparing the team for the next qualifier against Kuwait on March 26 in Kuwait City.

"He will bring all his plans for the national team and do his best at the level of head coach, like the he did when he was one of the world's best players," Kafashian said. "Tomorrow he starts his work as head coach and he has full authority. His chief plan is to take the team for the World Cup."

Source: CNN