Iranian club Esteghlal FC has announced the appointment of South African coach Pitso Mosimane as the new head coach late last week.
The club’s official Facebook page revealed that Mosimane has signed a one-year contract with the club.
Trusted lieutenants
He replaces Javad Nekounam, who was fired on 1 October.
Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh held the fort for 17 days on an interim basis before Mosimane’s appointment.
Mosimane arrived at the club along with his trusted lieutenants, Maahier Davids, Kabelo Rangoaga, Musi Matlaba and Kyle Solomon.
Since departing Egyptian side Al Ahly in 2022, Mosimane has been in charge of three different teams, with the longest being just one season with Al Ahli Jeddah.
He later joined Abu Dhabi club Al Wahda and was at the helm for just 14 matches before his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Pitso Mosimane’s last coaching experience was again in Saudi Arabia, this time with Abha FC.
Mosimane signed a four-month contract with the club which he left after failing to keep them in the Saudi Pro League.
Mosimane has been without a job since leaving Abha FC earlier this year.
As reported by The South African website, he was recently linked to Raja Casablanca Morocco, but those reports were later confirmed to be untrue.
Mosimane’s new club, Esteghlal, were runners-up in the Persian Gulf Pro League last season, but they currently sit in a lowly 11th place after a slow start to the season.
Esteghlal have picked up eight points from their seven matches this season, thanks to two wins, two draws and three defeats.
History of Esteghlal FC
Esteghlal FC is the oldest Iranian professional football club based in Tehran that competes in the Persian Gulf Pro League.
The club was founded in 1945 as ‘The Cyclists’ and was known as Tâj (meaning ‘The Crown’) between 1949 and 1979.
Mosimane’s first match in charge of Esteghlal will be a high-profile encounter against Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday, 22 October at 22:00 (SA time).
Did we mention that Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr?
Good luck Jingles!
