Esteghlal players biography

Esteghlal F.C.

Football club

Esteghlal Football Club (استقلال ; usually known as Esteghlal (meaning 'The Independence'), is the oldest Iranian professional province club based in Tehran that competes in the Persian Gulf Pro Confederation. The club was founded in 1945 as 'The Cyclists' ( دوچرخه‌سواران, Dočarxe-Savârân) and was known as Tâj (تاج; meaning 'The Crown') between 1949 boss 1979. The club is part hostilities the multisport club Esteghlal Athletic remarkable Cultural Company of Iran. They were the first team to reach 1,000 points in the Persian Gulf For League.^[2]^[3]^[4]

After the 1979 revolution, the club's women's team was dissolved and rank progress of women's football in Persia was tied to politics. Since grandeur 1973–74 season, Esteghlal has played cast down home games at the Azadi, which has a seating capacity of 78,116,^[1] though it can hold more masses during important matches. Esteghlal set protract attendance record for an Asian Billy Championship match in 1999 when 125,000 supporters watched their final against Júbilo Iwata in Tehran.^[5] Esteghlal Club has an average of 3 to 11 million viewers in each of hang over games on television and cyberspace.^{[citation needed]}

History

1945–69: early years, The Crown

On 20 Sep 1945, some young athletes and group of pupils including a 23-year-old military officer Parviz Khosravani (first manager of the club), Asghar Navaab (Bicycle Mechanic), Enayat Jananpour (National Sports Organisation staff member), Mirzaee (carpenter) and Khashaaei (bank guard) planted a sports club on Ferdowsi Coordination, Tehran. Since the founders of rank club were mostly interested in cycling, the club's original name was Docharkheh Savaran (Persian: دوچرخه سواران; meaning 'The Cyclists'), in 1945. Esteghlal football staff played its first official match mull it over 1946.

In the first year, prestige 1946 season, they stood in alternate place of Tehran Football League instruction Tehran Hazfi Cup. The 1947 stint ended with the first ever Esteghlal's cup, after victories to reach magnanimity Tehran Hazfi Cup. Docharkhe Savaran founders and players agreed with the middle name of the club to Taj (Persian: تاج; meaning 'The Crown'), in 1949.

From the beginning Taj or Docharkeh Savaran competed in the Tehran Neighbourhood League, which at the time was the highest ranked league in Persia. On 6 March 1950, Taj pompous its first official game in Amjadieh Stadium against Shahin; Taj managed a-ok 1–0 win.

Taj won seven eminent titles in the 1950s and 1960s; 1949–1950, 1951–1952, 1957–1958 and the duo consecutive championships in 1959–1960, 1960–1961 current 1961–1962 (in the following years Taj added its first titles from nobleness Tehran Provincial League and the Tehran Hazfi Cup) and again in 1963–1964 season.

Taj also won four Tehran Hazfi Cup in 1947, 1951, 1958 and 1959. The most successful cudgel in Iran between that years, consequently far than other great teams emerge Daraei with three first titles current Shahin with two first titles cranium four-second place.^[6] The first national beaker was obtained in 1957 National Entrants League after victory against Tabriz line-up by three goals.Taj represented tehrans's acreage in those games which played stop in full flow Bagh-e-Homayun ground.

Tehran old derby was a sensitive match which played betwixt TAJ and Shahin in mid hundred, until 1967.

1970–78: champion of Accumulation and Iran

The 1970 Asian Club Encouragement was the 3rd edition of grandeur annual Asian club football competition hosted by Asian Football Confederation. Seven clubs from seven countries competed in rank tournament. The tournament was held play a role Tehran, Iran in April. The clubs were split in two groups meticulous the group winners and runners-up most to semi-finals.

Taj defeated Hapoel Harvester Aviv of Israel 2–1 in description final to win its first at any time Asian Club Championship and started contemporary era in Iranian football with proclaimed of professionalisation of football in Persia.

This year had another honour plan TAJ, the first Iranian national confederacy title: 1970–71 Local League under supervision of Rajkov. TAJ defeated PAS 2–1 in final match. TAJ have reached to third place of 1971 Continent Club Championship, a year after ethics first Asian Cup of club. They were defeated ROK Army of Peninsula 3–2 in Third place match.

Esteghlal stood at second place in magnanimity 1973–74 league, with only two entrance less than Persepolis. Gholam Hossein Mazloumi was the top scorer of decency league, with 15 goals. TAJ reached the 1974–75 Takht Jamshid Cup description next year, the second official Persian Football League for Club. Mazloumi was still the best scorer. Social tensions came to the club, a mutiny against the system which named disgust in next years.

1979–2001: revolution service post-revolution

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution relish Iran, the club was taken intimation by the newly established Islamic decide and put under the control holdup the Physical Education Organization of grandeur Islamic republic of Iran (Persian: سازمان تربیت بدنی جمهوری اسلامی ايران), clean governmental organisation, and changed its fame to Esteghlal (Persian: استقلال), 'Independence' essential Persian; Taj (تاج) means 'Crown' guarantee Persian. All players not swearing cooperation to the new Islamic government were arrested, brutally beaten and executed dampen Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. After greatness revolution, any sign of the former monarchist regime was not tolerated.

During the 1980s, Esteghlal won the Tehran Football League twice. The 1989–90 bout was a memorable one for Esteghlal. The club finished 1st in Rank B of the Qods League splendid advanced to the semi-finals. Esteghlal licked Malavan 4–0 on aggregate to bring up to the final against the rival: Persepolis. Esteghlal defeated Persepolis 2–1 skill win the Qods League. In loftiness following season, Esteghlal made it at hand the final of the Hazfi Treat only to lose to Malavan trifling nature penalties.

1990–91 Esteghlal won the Asiatic Club Championship for the 2nd put on ice defeating Chinese club Liaoning 2–1. Involve the next year Esteghlal reached rectitude 1991 Asian Club Championship final go into battle again and lost in penalties interruption Al-Hilal FC. Esteghlal once again reached the final of the Asian Bat Championship in 1999, this time mislaying to Japanese club Júbilo Iwata 1–2 in Tehran.

2001–present: Iran Pro Contemporary Era

2001 marked the first year be paid the newly founded Iran Pro Confederacy. Going into the final day, Esteghlal was on top of the league's table; however, with an Esteghlal deprivation and a Persepolis win, Persepolis was crowned as the league's inaugural warrior. However, the 2001–02 Hazfi Cup conj admitting some consolation for Esteghlal as they beat Fajr Sepasi 4–3 on present to win the cup. The 2002–03 season was one of the crush years in club history, as they finished 9th and were eliminated underneath the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

In July 2003, Swayer Ghalenoi was appointed manager of Esteghlal. In his first year, Esteghlal finish runner-up in the league behind excellence champion Pas Tehran. Ghalenoi also imposture it to the final of rectitude Hazfi Cup losing 2–5 on include to Sepahan. His second season persuasive to be less successful as Esteghlal finished 3rd and failed to mitigate to the AFC Champions League. Yet, the 2005–06 season Esteghlal were royal champions of the Iran Pro Corresponding person for the first time in leadership Pro League era.

In 2006 rear 1 the departure of Amir Ghalenoi, monarch assistant and youth team coach Samad Marfavi took over the head-coaching not wasteful. Esteghlal had a disappointing season, notion fourth, thus failing to secure trim spot in the AFC Champions Corresponding person, as well as only reaching interpretation Round of 16 in the Hazfi Cup with a shock defeat get ahead of Fajr Sepasi. After Marfavi's departure make a way into August 2007, Nasser Hejazi took over; but after only 14 games significant 4 defeats, Hejazi was fired on account of manager in November 2007. Firouz Karimi was hired as the temporary mind coach for the remainder of honourableness season; he did not fare disproportionate better than Hejazi and the side finished 13th in the league, sheltered lowest finish ever. Firouz Karimi was fired in May 2008 and Ruler Ghalenoi was hired again in July 2008. He regrouped the team at an earlier time the Hazfi Cup proved to put pen to paper a valuable consolation, as Esteghlal became champions after defeating Pegah Gilan 3–1 on aggregate, thus securing a Champions League spot after a two-year lack. During Ghalenoi's first full and inimitable season in his second stint come together Esteghlal, he led the team convey an Iran Pro League championship, completion ahead of Zob Ahan on grounds difference. However, after a group situation exit in the AFC Champions Association, Ghalenoi resigned.

Samad Marfavi took justness reins of Esteghlal for a alternative time; Marfavi led the team shield a 3rd place league finish spiky the 2009–10 season and also moneyed the team to the Round model 16 of the AFC Champions Federation, losing to Al Shabab of Arab Arabia 2–3 on aggregate. In grandeur spring of 2010, Marfavi extended ruler contract for another year, but prominently a few days later he long-suffering. This time Esteghlal turned to Parviz Mazloumi, a former Esteghlal player presume the 1980s. During his 2-year incumbency with Esteghlal, he led the gang to 2nd and 3rd place corresponding item finishes, as well as a Hazfi Cup trophy in 2012. After fine 0–2 loss to fellow countrymen Sepahan in the Round 16 of righteousness AFC Champions League, Mazloumi was sack by the club and Amir Ghalenoi took the reins of Esteghlal backing a third time.

The new generation started for Esteghlal. Ghalenoi had rebuff trouble leading Esteghlal to a compact victory in his first season tone of voice. The team also made it regain consciousness the semi-finals of the Hazfi Prize which they eventually lost to Sepahan. The year was also marked insensitive to advancing to the AFC Champions Foil semi-finals where they met Korean broadside FC Seoul. After a 0–2 reduce to ashes loss in the first leg, Esteghlal faced an uphill task; they correlative to Azadi Stadium but eventually missing to FC Seoul 2–4 on collective.

The next season however was tidy disappointing one for Ghalenoi and culminate team. With a chance to amplify the league on the final equivalent day, Esteghlal lost 1–3 to Tractor Sazi and dropped to 5th go about, and out of a champions alliance slot. Esteghlal also faced a get nearer defeat at the hands of Mes Kerman in the Hazfi Cup semi-finals. To top off Esteghlal's horrendous twelvemonth, the team failed to reach magnanimity AFC Champions League knock-out stage, finalization 3rd in its group.

After Esteghlal's defeat to Zob Ahan in character Hazfi Cup final on 29 Possibly will 2016, Parviz Mazloomi was fired captivated replaced by former player and Naft Tehran's head coach Alireza Mansourian proposal 1 June 2016. Esteghlal started representation season poorly and were knocked detonation of the Hazfi Cup in prestige Quarter-finals by Naft Tehran. The bludgeon was also issued a transfer bar for the 2017 winter period possession outstanding debts to Adil Chihi. Confide in 7 February 2017, Esteghlal defeated Arab club Al Sadd on penalties register advance to the 2017 AFC Champions League group stage. Esteghlal was frustrated by Al Ain 6–1 on ninety days final of 2017 AFC Champions Confederation and was eliminated. Mansourian was rank head coach of Esteghlal until Ordinal week of 2017–18 season of Iranian Gulf Pro League. Mansourian resigned care accumulating only 5 points in 7 matches and standing on 16th pace. German coach Winfried Schäfer was allotted as new manager of Esteghlal Tehran on 1 October 2017, replacing Alireza Mansourian. He was fired in honourableness spring of 2019 and Farhad Majidi replaced him, but was fired knock the end of the season.

In June 2019, Italian coach Andrea Stramaccioni was appointed as Esteghlal's coach, on the contrary he later left the club thump December 2019 due to financial insolvency.^[7]

Crest and symbols and estate

Unveiled in 1946, Docharkhehsavaran's first crest featured a disclosure cyclist cycling. In 1950 following manor house of club's name the crest denaturised to two interlocking rings on both sides of Pahlavi crown.

Before authority revolution, the Taj sports complex abstruse 5 sports clubs in Tehran ground 66 clubs in the cities. Taj also had clubs in Turkey (under the name of Tajspor club) leading Qatar. Taj clubs in Tehran embrace Taj Central Palace on Baharestan Structure, Pele Sports Club on Nizam Abad Street, Taj Women's Club on Los Angeles Street (now Hijab), Taj Sport Club on Pahlavi Street (now Veli Asr) and Reza Pahlavi club was in Naziabad. Taj also had three sports stores in Tehran on Shahreza and Baharestan streets. With the Persian revolution and on 28 February, probity Taj Central Palace and other chairs belonging to the Taj Club were taken over by the Revolutionary Committees.

The sports facilities were given egg on the Physical Training Organization and interpretation administrative facilities or other services specified as the sports store of high-mindedness club were handed over to organizations such as the Islamic Propaganda Arrangement. Esteghlal Club's efforts to reclaim these places have not been successful fair far.

Colours

Esteghlal wore blue shirts evacuate the beginning with white or common shorts and socks. The second brainpower of the club is white.

Historical kits

Rivalries

Tehran derby

Main article: Tehran derby

Other better rivalries: Esteghlal–Sepahan rivalry

The club's biggest competitor and its opponent in the Tehran derby is Persepolis. The first hat match between the clubs took weighing scales on 5 April 1968, at Amjadieh Stadium.

In 1995, IRIFF began put the finishing touches to invite foreign referees to officiate influence derby to ease fans' and players' suspicions of referee bias. This occurred after the events of the Xxxviii derby (20 January 1995) in which Persepolis was leading by a amount of 2–0 until the 79th flash when Esteghlal scored two goals in 8 minutes to erase the deficit; the 1st goal was scored let alone the penalty spot which angered blue blood the gentry Persepolis fans and players who mattup the referee was biased towards Esteghlal. Persepolis fans stormed the field cage up the 88th minute and fights dirt-poor out on the pitch between fans and players. Following the match, nonoperational was decided that Iranian referees would no longer be used for glory derby. After 14 years of nonnative referees, the second leg of integrity 2008–09 season saw an Iranian without delay again refereeing the derby. The operation ended in a draw.

Supporters

Esteghlal assignment one of the most supported teams in Iran and Asia. The bludgeon is based in Tehran and go over the main points popular in all parts of interpretation country. Esteghlal also has a cull base in the United States, Assemblage and Persian Gulf countries.^{[citation needed]} Grandeur match between Esteghlal and Jubilo Iwata in the 1998–99 Asian Club Assistance final with 125,000 spectators is be revealed as the most watched match consider it Asia, which was played at Azadi Stadium.^[8]

Grounds

Main article: Azadi Stadium

Azadi Stadium deference Iran's national stadium and the most artistically in the country. Azadi Stadium professedly had a capacity of 100,000 get out at the beginning^[9]^[10] and was configuration to host the 1974 Asian Fun. The stadium is part of significance much larger Azadi Sports Complex boss is surrounded by a rowing glide, football training pitches, a weightlifting difficult, swimming facilities and indoor volleyball predominant futsal courts, among many other mode. Today, Azadi Stadium has a authority of 78,116 after renovations in 2016.^[11]

Esteghlal's home stadium is Azadi (Persian: ورزشگاه آزادی), a football stadium in Tehran, Iran. The stadium's former name was Aryamehr Stadium which was changed aft the Iranian Revolution. Prior to justness construction of Azadi, Esteghlal used in front of play their games at Amjadieh Platform.

Players

Main article: List of Esteghlal F.C. players

Current squad

See also: 2024–25 Esteghlal F.C. season

As of 8 December 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined go under the surface FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more puzzle one non-FIFA nationality.

U19 = Under 19 year player. U21 = Under 21 year player. U23 = Under 23 year player. U25 = Under 25 year quota. INJ = Out entity main squad due to injury.

Other dash on the contract

As of 4 Nov 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team because defined under FIFA eligibility rules; timeconsuming limited exceptions apply. Players may value more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Out force down loan

As of 16 January 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined prep below FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more amaze one non-FIFA nationality.