Clemente set for 'greatest challenge'

Javier Clemente has described becoming coach of Serbia as the "greatest challenge" of his career, admitting he overlooked more lucrative offers to take on the role. "I'm not thinking about the financial aspect at the moment," he told uefa.com. "Money is secondary, I wanted a different challenge. And you can be sure this will be the greatest challenge of my career."

'Happy'
Clemente arrived in Belgrade on Thursday having already signed a two-year contract with the newly formed Football Association of Serbia following negotiations in Majorca. His first impressions have been positive. "I'm happy," he said. "I spent three days in Belgrade and everybody has been really friendly towards me. The atmosphere is brilliant and I believe the working conditions will be great."

Stiff competition
It is the first time Serbia have appointed a foreign coach and just the second time Clemente has worked abroad after a brief spell with Olympique de Marseille in 2000. The 56-year-old, though, is no stranger to international football after six years in charge of Spain between 1992 and 1998 and believes his side have every chance of reaching UEFA EURO 2008™ despite stiff competition in qualifying Group 1.

'Good things'
"Portugal are favourites to finish first and four other teams – us, Belgium, Poland and Finland – will also expect to get to Austria and Switzerland. It will be a very, very strong competition. I'm optimistic. We showed many good things in qualifying [for the FIFA World Cup] and I think we can do that again."

Czech test
Clemente, who won two league titles as coach of Athletic Club Bilbao, will face his first test in a friendly match against the Czech Republic in Prague on 16 August, Serbia's first game as an independent nation since their split from Montenegro. Their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign begins against Azerbaijan in Belgrade on 2 September.