Esteghlal football club legend, Hassan Rowshan, has voiced strong criticism against the club’s management for their handling of coach Sohrab and their recent coaching decisions. In a passionate statement made to Mizan Online, Rowshan warned the club that replacing Sohrab at this stage could be a major mistake. According to Rowshan, making another hasty coaching change would only repeat the missteps experienced with former coach Pitso Mosimane.
Rowshan’s comments come after speculation that Esteghlal might look to make a change in the middle of the season, with some suggesting that Sohrab should be replaced. However, Rowshan cautioned the club against making such a move, pointing out that it would be ill-advised to bring in a new coach at this time, especially one that might follow a similar path to Mosimane. He emphasized that reputable and high-level foreign coaches are not typically available midway through a season, as good coaches are already under contract and employed by other teams. Bringing in a new coach too hastily, according to Rowshan, would likely lead to another chaotic situation similar to Mosimane’s tenure at the club.
Rowshan reflected on the Mosimane era at Esteghlal, noting that the South African coach came to the club amid high expectations but ultimately left under a cloud of dissatisfaction. “If the club goes down the same road and hires another coach in a rush, they could end up with someone like Mosimane, who, after his stint, went off in search of more money and complaints, ultimately leaving nothing tangible behind for Esteghlal,” Rowshan stated. He cautioned that such a move would only hurt the club in the long term, and the team would suffer from another round of instability and disruption.
The Esteghlal legend also expressed his dismay over the overall state of Iranian football, lamenting how foreign coaches, especially African coaches like Mosimane, seem to leave the league with ease. He pointed out that this phenomenon reflects poorly on the league and the country’s football infrastructure. “Our football has become so miserable that an African coach comes to our football and leaves easily. It speaks volumes about how our football is being managed,” Rowshan said. His comments paint a troubling picture of the challenges faced by foreign coaches working in Iran, particularly those coming from Africa.
Rowshan has always been an outspoken critic of the way coaches and players are idolized in the Iranian football scene. From the very beginning of Mosimane’s tenure, Rowshan emphasized the importance of not elevating coaches to the level of idols too quickly. He has consistently urged the football community to avoid hasty praise, particularly when coaches’ performances haven’t been fully evaluated. “From the start, I have always emphasized that we should not rush to praise someone too much and make them idols,” Rowshan concluded. He believes that fans and the football community need to be more cautious when attaching too much reverence to coaches, especially when the results on the field don’t match the hype.
In light of Rowshan’s comments, it’s clear that Esteghlal’s coaching situation is far from settled. The club’s management faces a tough decision: whether to stick with Sohrab and continue building with him or make another change that could ultimately repeat past mistakes. Rowshan’s warning is a sobering reminder that, in football, hasty decisions often lead to disappointment, and stability is key for any club aiming for long-term success. As the situation unfolds, Esteghlal fans will no doubt be watching closely to see how the club handles its coaching future and whether they heed the advice of their legendary former player.
