Title: Esteghlal FC Board Concludes Emergency Meeting; Backs Head Coach Sá Pinto
In a decisive move following a string of disappointing results, the board of directors of Esteghlal Football Club has concluded a special emergency meeting, ultimately affirming their support for head coach Ricardo Sá Pinto.
A Season of Unmet Expectations
The club, one of Iran’s football giants, entered the new season of the Persian Gulf Pro League with significant optimism. High-profile international signings had raised hopes among the massive fanbase for a return to glory days. However, the anticipated success has failed to materialize, plunging the team into a difficult period.
The crisis deepened on Wednesday night after Esteghlal suffered a defeat against Bahrain’s Al-Muharraq in the AFC Champions League Two, continuing a troubling trend of poor performances.
A Wave of Fan Discontent
The loss to Al-Muharraq capped a series of unsatisfactory results, including a heavy 7-1 defeat in their Asian campaign opener and a domestic league loss. This triggered a wave of protests and sharp criticism from supporters directed at Coach Sá Pinto during the match. Many fans voiced the opinion that, given the club’s efforts to secure the technical staff’s requested players, the core issue lies with the coaching and tactical approach.
Club Issues Apology and Takes Action
In immediate response, the club issued an official statement apologizing to its loyal fans for the recent results and announcing an urgent review meeting would be convened with Sá Pinto to examine the causes of the team’s underperformance.
That high-stakes meeting took place on Thursday, attended by senior club managers and the Portuguese head coach, who provided a comprehensive explanation of the current situation.
Board Backs Coach Amid Transfer Ban Challenge
While the board members expressed serious concern over the team’s current state, they have chosen to maintain stability by backing the head coach. They voiced hope that the team can halt its losing streak in the upcoming crucial match against Chadormaloo Ardakan.
A significant challenge discussed was the imposition of a transfer ban on the club, which prevents Esteghlal from registering new players until the mid-season point. This development is considered a major setback for the squad’s development. In response, the board has resolved to pursue the case through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an effort to have the suspension overturned or annulled.
With only four days to prepare for the next fixture, all eyes are now on Esteghlal to see if the team can rally under Sá Pinto’s leadership and secure a much-needed victory.
