Rewritten Title:
Sapinto Vows to Stay at Esteghlal, Decries “Baseless Accusations” and Vows to Restore Team Fortunes
Article Content:
A Coach Under Fire
TEHRAN – Despite a promising start to the season, Esteghlal FC, one of Iran’s premier football clubs, has encountered a challenging run of form. As the team navigates this difficult period, its Portuguese head coach, Ricardo Sápinto, has broken his silence, addressing the team’s performance and vehemently denying what he labels as “shameful” and “false” accusations made against him in the media.
Breaking the Silence
In an exclusive interview, Sápinto began by expressing his regret for his recent absence from press conferences, a result of a temporary suspension. “I am happy that this suspension is over,” Sápinto stated. “I hope to be on the sidelines to witness the start of Esteghlal’s victories. I know the real fans have many concerns about their beloved team.”
Addressing the team’s recent results, the coach acknowledged the immense pressure on everyone involved with the club. “None of us are satisfied with the results,” he admitted. “We deserved better outcomes; we were superior to our rivals and the statistics show our technical merit. We conceded the fewest chances but goals were scored against us due to individual errors, while we created the most chances but were unlucky not to score.”
A Rocky Pre-Season and a Path to Improvement
Sápinto pointed to a disrupted pre-season as a root cause of the team’s current technical inconsistencies. “At the beginning of the season, when I complained about a lack of players in our training camp in Turkey, I could foresee today’s conditions,” he explained. He emphasized that a team undergoing significant changes from the previous season requires a proper pre-season to build physical readiness and tactical coordination, a foundation Esteghlal lacked.
However, the Portuguese manager remains optimistic, citing a clear upward trajectory. “The path to success and building a powerful Esteghlal is a step-by-step process,” he asserted. “We are witnessing better performance and quality with each match compared to previous games. I believe our problems are decreasing, and we are achieving better coordination.”
“Two Red Lines Were Crossed”
The coach’s tone turned firm when addressing recent media reports, particularly comments made on a television program. He expressed deep disappointment over what he described as unprofessional and unethical behavior.
“The presenter, who apparently is also a football coach, stated that I said, ‘I will not leave unless you fire me and pay all my money,’ and Mr. Alireza Mansourian, a former Esteghlal coach, confirmed this,” Sápinto revealed. “This is unacceptable to me.”
He firmly denied ever discussing his departure or contract with the club, questioning the source of the “lie.” “How is it possible to tell such a lie on television? Why should you even talk about the amount of my contract? This is the ultimate disrespect. You don’t see such behavior anywhere in the world.”
Sápinto passionately defended his commitment to the club, referencing a previous stint where he worked for months without pay. “My first time at Esteghlal, I did not receive my salary for several months. At that time, I did not complain nor stop my work. I stayed, fought, and tried with all my heart to bring success to Esteghlal.”
Outlining his core principles, the coach stated, “My two red lines are lies and insults. I respect others and expect mutual respect. It is shameful that they spread such lies about me so widely.”
A Pledge to the Fans
Concluding on a hopeful note, Sápinto expressed his gratitude for the fans’ patience and unwavering support. “They deserve the best successes and the brightest results,” he said. “I assure our fans, on behalf of myself, the staff, and the players, that they will witness successful performances and positive results in the upcoming matches. Together, we will bring Esteghlal back to the position it deserves.”