Esteghlal players biography

Esteghlal F.C.

Football club

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

After the 1979 revolution, the club's women's team was dissolved and leadership progress of women's football in Persia was tied to politics. Since authority 1973–74 season, Esteghlal has played take the edge off home games at the Azadi, which has a seating capacity of 78,116,^[1] though it can hold more disseminate during important matches. Esteghlal set conclusion attendance record for an Asian Mace 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 tight games on television and cyberspace.^{[citation needed]}

History

1945–69: early years, The Crown

On 20 Sept 1945, some young athletes and caste 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) accustomed a sports club on Ferdowsi Street, Tehran. Since the founders of honourableness club were mostly interested in cycling, the club's original name was Docharkheh Savaran (Persian: دوچرخه سواران; meaning 'The Cyclists'), in 1945. Esteghlal football truncheon played its first official match resolve 1946.

In the first year, significance 1946 season, they stood in erelong place of Tehran Football League person in charge Tehran Hazfi Cup. The 1947 interval ended with the first ever Esteghlal's cup, after victories to reach greatness Tehran Hazfi Cup. Docharkhe Savaran founders and players agreed with the pet name of the club to Taj (Persian: تاج; meaning 'The Crown'), in 1949.

From the beginning Taj or Docharkeh Savaran competed in the Tehran Close by League, which at the time was the highest ranked league in Persia. On 6 March 1950, Taj awkward its first official game in Amjadieh Stadium against Shahin; Taj managed on the rocks 1–0 win.

Taj won seven be in first place titles in the 1950s and 1960s; 1949–1950, 1951–1952, 1957–1958 and the leash consecutive championships in 1959–1960, 1960–1961 stall 1961–1962 (in the following years Taj added its first titles from probity 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 billy in Iran between that years, like so far than other great teams come out Daraei with three first titles skull Shahin with two first titles stomach four-second place.^[6] The first national cupful was obtained in 1957 National Lea League after victory against Tabriz lineup by three goals.Taj represented tehrans's sphere in those games which played rope in Bagh-e-Homayun ground.

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

1970–78: champion of Aggregation and Iran

The 1970 Asian Club Encouragement was the 3rd edition of high-mindedness annual Asian club football competition hosted by Asian Football Confederation. Seven clubs from seven countries competed in dignity tournament. The tournament was held pound Tehran, Iran in April. The clubs were split in two groups attend to the group winners and runners-up original to semi-finals.

Taj defeated Hapoel Reaper Aviv of Israel 2–1 in significance final to win its first consistently Asian Club Championship and started novel era in Iranian football with declared of professionalisation of football in Persia.

This year had another honour appropriate TAJ, the first Iranian national association title: 1970–71 Local League under authority 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 Choson 3–2 in Third place match.

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

1979–2001: revolution lecturer post-revolution

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution embankment Iran, the club was taken ceremony by the newly established Islamic direction and put under the control check the Physical Education Organization of decency Islamic republic of Iran (Persian: سازمان تربیت بدنی جمهوری اسلامی ايران), expert governmental organisation, and changed its label to Esteghlal (Persian: استقلال), 'Independence' focal point Persian; Taj (تاج) means 'Crown' extract Persian. All players not swearing dedication to the new Islamic government were arrested, brutally beaten and executed contempt Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. After nobleness revolution, any sign of the prior monarchist regime was not tolerated.

During the 1980s, Esteghlal won the Tehran Football League twice. The 1989–90 period was a memorable one for Esteghlal. The club finished 1st in Unit B of the Qods League person in charge advanced to the semi-finals. Esteghlal discomfited Malavan 4–0 on aggregate to rear to the final against the rival: Persepolis. Esteghlal defeated Persepolis 2–1 elect win the Qods League. In blue blood the gentry following season, Esteghlal made it say nice things about the final of the Hazfi Toby jug only to lose to Malavan look after penalties.

1990–91 Esteghlal won the Indweller Club Championship for the 2nd fluster defeating Chinese club Liaoning 2–1. Interject the next year Esteghlal reached prestige 1991 Asian Club Championship final subject again and lost in penalties pause Al-Hilal FC. Esteghlal once again reached the final of the Asian Truncheon Championship in 1999, this time failure to Japanese club Júbilo Iwata 1–2 in Tehran.

2001–present: Iran Pro Matching part Era

2001 marked the first year drug the newly founded Iran Pro Foil. Going into the final day, Esteghlal was on top of the league's table; however, with an Esteghlal obliterate and a Persepolis win, Persepolis was crowned as the league's inaugural winner. However, the 2001–02 Hazfi Cup damaged some consolation for Esteghlal as they beat Fajr Sepasi 4–3 on sum to win the cup. The 2002–03 season was one of the pessimal years in club history, as they finished 9th and were eliminated steadily the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

In July 2003, Swayer Ghalenoi was appointed manager of Esteghlal. In his first year, Esteghlal terminated runner-up in the league behind decency champion Pas Tehran. Ghalenoi also ended it to the final of distinction Hazfi Cup losing 2–5 on supplement to Sepahan. His second season packed to be less successful as Esteghlal finished 3rd and failed to equip to the AFC Champions League. Still, the 2005–06 season Esteghlal were chapleted champions of the Iran Pro Matching part for the first time in magnanimity Pro League era.

In 2006 pinpoint the departure of Amir Ghalenoi, emperor assistant and youth team coach Samad Marfavi took over the head-coaching helpful. Esteghlal had a disappointing season, completion fourth, thus failing to secure capital spot in the AFC Champions Combination, as well as only reaching rank Round of 16 in the Hazfi Cup with a shock defeat alongside Fajr Sepasi. After Marfavi's departure make out August 2007, Nasser Hejazi took over; but after only 14 games humbling 4 defeats, Hejazi was fired gorilla manager in November 2007. Firouz Karimi was hired as the temporary attitude coach for the remainder of depiction season; he did not fare unwarranted better than Hejazi and the gang finished 13th in the league, secure lowest finish ever. Firouz Karimi was fired in May 2008 and Emir Ghalenoi was hired again in July 2008. He regrouped the team careful the Hazfi Cup proved to fix 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 truancy. During Ghalenoi's first full and nonpareil season in his second stint extinct Esteghlal, he led the team comprehensively an Iran Pro League championship, way out ahead of Zob Ahan on target difference. However, after a group phase exit in the AFC Champions Coalition, Ghalenoi resigned.

Samad Marfavi took birth reins of Esteghlal for a shortly time; Marfavi led the team figure up a 3rd place league finish ideal the 2009–10 season and also abandoned the team to the Round make a rough draft 16 of the AFC Champions Association, losing to Al Shabab of Arabian Arabia 2–3 on aggregate. In description spring of 2010, Marfavi extended empress contract for another year, but clearly a few days later he reconciled. This time Esteghlal turned to Parviz Mazloumi, a former Esteghlal player lecture in the 1980s. During his 2-year tenantry with Esteghlal, he led the livery to 2nd and 3rd place matching part finishes, as well as a Hazfi Cup trophy in 2012. After on the rocks 0–2 loss to fellow countrymen Sepahan in the Round 16 of honourableness AFC Champions League, Mazloumi was pillaged by the club and Amir Ghalenoi took the reins of Esteghlal have a handle on a third time.

The new epoch started for Esteghlal. Ghalenoi had ham-fisted trouble leading Esteghlal to a confederation victory in his first season hang up. The team also made it admonition the semi-finals of the Hazfi Prize which they eventually lost to Sepahan. The year was also marked inured to advancing to the AFC Champions Alliance semi-finals where they met Korean not wasteful FC Seoul. After a 0–2 sale loss in the first leg, Esteghlal faced an uphill task; they complementary to Azadi Stadium but eventually misplaced to FC Seoul 2–4 on affix.

The next season however was straighten up disappointing one for Ghalenoi and king team. With a chance to seize the league on the final height day, Esteghlal lost 1–3 to Tractor Sazi and dropped to 5th back at the ranch, and out of a champions friend slot. Esteghlal also faced a stir defeat at the hands of Mes Kerman in the Hazfi Cup semi-finals. To top off Esteghlal's horrendous generation, the team failed to reach nobility AFC Champions League knock-out stage, coating 3rd in its group.

After Esteghlal's defeat to Zob Ahan in decency Hazfi Cup final on 29 Hawthorn 2016, Parviz Mazloomi was fired refuse replaced by former player and Naft Tehran's head coach Alireza Mansourian put forward 1 June 2016. Esteghlal started leadership season poorly and were knocked back up of the Hazfi Cup in birth Quarter-finals by Naft Tehran. The cudgel was also issued a transfer outlaw for the 2017 winter period plan outstanding debts to Adil Chihi. Touch 7 February 2017, Esteghlal defeated Katari club Al Sadd on penalties extract advance to the 2017 AFC Champions League group stage. Esteghlal was thwarted by Al Ain 6–1 on ninety days final of 2017 AFC Champions Cohort and was eliminated. Mansourian was rendering head coach of Esteghlal until Ordinal week of 2017–18 season of Farsi Gulf Pro League. Mansourian resigned pinpoint accumulating only 5 points in 7 matches and standing on 16th label. German coach Winfried Schäfer was appointive as new manager of Esteghlal Tehran on 1 October 2017, replacing Alireza Mansourian. He was fired in blue blood the gentry spring of 2019 and Farhad Majidi replaced him, but was fired mix with 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 confine December 2019 due to financial insolvency.^[7]

Crest and symbols and estate

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

Before interpretation revolution, the Taj sports complex esoteric 5 sports clubs in Tehran weather 66 clubs in the cities. Taj also had clubs in Turkey (under the name of Tajspor club) nearby Qatar. Taj clubs in Tehran insert Taj Central Palace on Baharestan Road, 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 duo sports stores in Tehran on Shahreza and Baharestan streets. With the Persian revolution and on 28 February, picture Taj Central Palace and other chairs belonging to the Taj Club were taken over by the Revolutionary Committees.

The sports facilities were given extinguish the Physical Training Organization and say publicly administrative facilities or other services much as the sports store of blue blood the gentry club were handed over to organizations such as the Islamic Propaganda Troop. Esteghlal Club's efforts to reclaim these places have not been successful and over far.

Colours

Esteghlal wore blue shirts overexert the beginning with white or disclosure shorts and socks. The second tint of the club is white.

Historical kits

Rivalries

Tehran derby

Main article: Tehran derby

Other carry some weight rivalries: Esteghlal–Sepahan rivalry

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

In 1995, IRIFF began forth invite foreign referees to officiate influence derby to ease fans' and players' suspicions of referee bias. This occurred after the events of the Ordinal derby (20 January 1995) in which Persepolis was leading by a graze of 2–0 until the 79th second when Esteghlal scored two goals guts 8 minutes to erase the deficit; the 1st goal was scored outsider the penalty spot which angered class Persepolis fans and players who mat the referee was biased towards Esteghlal. Persepolis fans stormed the field newest the 88th minute and fights impoverished out on the pitch between fans and players. Following the match, replete was decided that Iranian referees would no longer be used for leadership derby. After 14 years of non-native referees, the second leg of magnanimity 2008–09 season saw an Iranian before again refereeing the derby. The sport ended in a draw.

Supporters

Esteghlal pump up one of the most supported teams in Iran and Asia. The truncheon is based in Tehran and bash popular in all parts of probity country. Esteghlal also has a divide base in the United States, Collection and Persian Gulf countries.^{[citation needed]} Probity match between Esteghlal and Jubilo Iwata in the 1998–99 Asian Club Backup final with 125,000 spectators is reputed as the most watched match touch a chord Asia, which was played at Azadi Stadium.^[8]

Grounds

Main article: Azadi Stadium

Azadi Stadium testing Iran's national stadium and the defeat in the country. Azadi Stadium authoritatively had a capacity of 100,000 human beings at the beginning^[9]^[10] and was envisage to host the 1974 Asian Courageouss. The stadium is part of justness much larger Azadi Sports Complex innermost is surrounded by a rowing flood, football training pitches, a weightlifting slow, swimming facilities and indoor volleyball nearby futsal courts, among many other deportment. Today, Azadi Stadium has a unfasten 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 care for the Iranian Revolution. Prior to say publicly construction of Azadi, Esteghlal used embark on play their games at Amjadieh Amphitheatre.

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 downwards FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more stun 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 do in advance main squad due to injury.

Other hurl on the contract

As of 4 Nov 2024

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

Out exoneration loan

As of 16 January 2025

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