TEHRAN (Iran News) – Ahmad Sa’adatmand was removed from his position as Esteghlal CEO, the Persian Gulf Pro League side’s board of directors announced on Wednesday.
The Sa’adatmand dismissal came only hours after he had confirmed that the club reached agreement with Alexander Nouri to appoint the former Werder Bremen and Hertha Berlin manager as the new head coach of the Tehran-based Blues.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the club board underlined Sa’adatmand’s “abrupt” and “ineffective” trip to Italy, in an effort to lure back ex-Esteghlal manager Andrea Stramaccioni, as one of the reasons for his ouster.
The timing of Sa’adatmand’s trip – on the eve of Esteghlal’s Hazfi Cup semifinal match against archrival Persepolis in late August – drew criticism from many at the club, most notably then-manager Farhad Majidi who resigned after the shootout victory over Persepolis.
Majidi then reversed his decision but stepped down a week later following the cup final 3-2 defeat against Tractor.
The axed CEO was also blamed for his mismanagement of the former German head coach Winfried Schäfer’s financial case, which eventually led to the club’s suspension of three transfer windows by the international football governing body, FIFA.
Sa’adatmand’s expelling, however, leaves the club in further uncertainty regarding the new head coach.
Under caretaker manager Majid Namjoo Motlaq, Esteghlal was knocked out of the AFC Champions League after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor at the round of 16.
- source : Iran Daily
