TEHRAN: Only days after an Iranian goal-scoring hero from the 1998 FIFA World Cup against United States joins Steel Azin, another one leaves.
Mehdi Mahdavikia, who scored the second against the US in a 2-1 Iran victory that captured the imagination of the whole world, was unveiled as Steel Azin’s new signing on Tuesday.
Two days later, team coach Hamid Estili quit. Estili was the man whose looping header gave Iran the lead against the US in that very same match.
The reason he gave was the pressure on him and his family to deliver Steel Azin’s ambitious goals.
The arrival of Mahdavikia certainly adds to the pressure as he joins a team that already includes former Iran striker Ali Karimi, who is as notorious for his ability to cause friction as he is for his goal-scoring skills.
The-afc.com’s Persian Editor, Shahin Rahmani, says the biggest question now is who is going to replace Estili, who has done a fine job in taking the Iran Pro League newcomers to third in the league with nine matches remaining and in sight of an AFC Champions League place.
Said Rahmani: “How do you coach a team of superstars? Karimi himself needs a team of coaches. Maybe they will go for a foreign coach.”
Estili’s last match in charge was Steel Azin’s 2-1 away victory over Moghavemat on Thursday, when Mohammad Gholami and Reza Dormafi scored the goals.
Sepahan continue to lead the table on 49 points from 24 matches, four ahead of Zob Ahan and with a game in hand. Steel Azin have 39 points from 25 games but Esteghlal and Persepolis (both 37 points) have played one game fewer.