Title: Ebrahim Tahami’s Brief Stint at Esteghlal: A Revealing Look at Club Dynamics and Derby Scheduling
A Surprise Move and a Quick Return
In the autumn of 1996, Iranian football was abuzz with the news that Ebrahim Tahami, one of the nation’s top strikers at the time, was joining Tehran’s Esteghlal club from Esteghlal Ahvaz. The move was celebrated by the capital’s blue-clad fans, who anticipated a significant boost to their team’s attacking power.
However, Tahami’s stay at Esteghlal was remarkably brief. By the winter of the same year, he had returned to Esteghlal Ahvaz. Now, nearly three decades later, the former player has provided a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding his unexpected departure, shedding light on internal club decisions and broader sporting structures.
The Coaching Change That Altered Plans
In an exclusive interview, Tahami clarified his deep affinity for the club, stating, “I am an Esteghlali, and I would not trade the blue color in Iranian football for anything.” He explained that his initial move to Tehran was as a supplemental player for the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup knockout stages. At the time, the late Mansour Pourheidari was the head coach, and Tahami reports no issues between them.
The pivotal moment came after the team eliminated a Kazakh representative. Pourheidari stepped down and was replaced by the late Nasser Hejazi. “I had come to Esteghlal Tehran with the intention to stay on after the semi-finals and finals of the Cup Winners’ Cup,” Tahami revealed. “But Mr. Hejazi did not utilize me and did not have faith in my abilities. Consequently, I returned to Esteghlal Ahvaz.” He expressed a lingering regret, adding, “Now I say, I wish I had stayed with Hejazi at Esteghlal Tehran and won a third Asian star with this team.”
A Call for Equity in Derby Preparations
Shifting focus to the present, Tahami also commented on the scheduling of the highly anticipated Tehran derby between Esteghlal and Persepolis. He highlighted a significant disparity in the teams’ match calendars leading up to the clash.
“Esteghlal will take to the pitch three times before the derby, while Persepolis only has one match,” he noted. “This means the probability of injury and suspension for our players is three times greater than that of Persepolis!” He described this scheduling as a clear disadvantage for his beloved club, emphasizing that “before such an important match, justice and equality between Esteghlal and Persepolis must be completely observed.”
A Proud National Memory
Concluding on a note of national pride, Tahami reflected on the upcoming anniversary of Iran’s historic 1997 World Cup qualifying playoff against Australia, known as the “Melbourne Miracle.” He expressed honor at having played a role in bringing joy to the Iranian people during that memorable match.
“Fortunately, when I entered the field, I had a positive impact, and all the experts point to this,” he stated. While he mused that his life would have been different had he scored the second goal instead of his close friend Khodadad Azizi, he praised the entire generation of players as “truly wonderful and principled individuals who genuinely found a place in the hearts of the people.”