TEHRAN – Italy’s Paolo Malara joined Iran water polo team as a coach on a four-year contract on Saturday.

The 51 year-old will officially take charge of the Iranian team on March 24.
Malara will lead the team in the FINA Men's Water Polo Development Trophy, which will take place in Damman, Saudi Arabia from April 23 to 29.
“I believe that Iran has so many talented players and good potential. The country has a bright future in water polo. Iran needs time and organization to get good results,” Marala said.
Malara coached Olympic Nice from 1997-2004, won the French championship seven times, and the French cup twice. Simultaneously, he also coached the French national team that reached historical qualification to the European championship in 2001, and won a bronze medal in the Mediterranean games that year.
Malara was named coach of Italy in 2005 and he led the team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics