Title: Azadi Stadium: The Rightful Home for Esteghlal and Persepolis, Says Mansourian
In a statement that has ignited passionate discussion within Iranian football circles, former coach Alireza Mansourian has made a definitive case for Tehran’s Azadi Stadium as the essential venue for the nation’s premier football clubs.
A Coach’s Decisive Stance
Weighing in on Persepolis’s recent run of consecutive draws under coach Yahya Golmohammadi, Mansourian articulated a clear standard for the club’s performance. He stated that for the Persepolis faithful, a record of “one win and two draws, or two wins and one draw is justifiable.” His commentary, however, quickly shifted to a more fundamental issue: the location of the team’s home games.
Mansourian delivered an unequivocal verdict, asserting, “The rightful place for Persepolis and Esteghlal is in Azadi Stadium.” This declaration frames the iconic national stadium not merely as a preference, but as the legitimate and proper home ground for Iran’s two most popular teams.
Acknowledging Logistical Realities
The debate was further contextualized by comments from another figure, referred to as “Toutoonchi,” who pointed to the practical challenges of playing at Azadi as a factor in Persepolis’s results. Dismissing this as an invalid excuse, the individual noted, “A number of things are simply reality. Did they not know that it is not possible to play in Azadi? The conditions are what they are, and it is not feasible to play in Azadi.”
This counterpoint highlights the ongoing dialogue surrounding infrastructure and logistics in Iranian sports, presenting the practical hurdles that exist alongside the deep-seated cultural and emotional connections to the nation’s flagship stadium. Mansourian’s remarks have powerfully reinforced the symbolic and sporting centrality of Azadi Stadium in the landscape of Iranian football.