Celebrated South African coach Pitso Mosimane has hit back at the club's critics who have questioned his methods at Esteghlal.
The 60-year-old started the campaign on a low note, struggling to inspire his team to achieve positive results. However, he eventually settled and helped them to a nine-match unbeaten run, that was halted on Monday when the Blue Boys fell 2-1 against Shams Azar Qazvin.
Mosimane has now responded to those doubting his technique, stating he is sure of what he is doing and that he is qualified to handle the players as opposed to those questioning his style.
We are coaching because we played football
“We can’t run the program with people outside telling us what to do in the camp, because you don’t know our problems, you don’t know our injuries, you don’t know our situation,” he said as quoted by Football360.
“Football is not… It's eight days, anybody says ‘oh, they’re on holiday’. Why do you start questioning the training program now? You have to understand sport science, you have to go to university to do sports science. We went to University!
“We’re not coaching because we played football, but we went to [learn] sports science. Let’s be positive. 2025, strong, positive, good mind, support the team.”
Mosimane reveals transfer plans
“The big boss, all the big bosses I’ve met, I’m in constant meetings; It is time for transfers, we cannot stay away. I’ve given the list of players that I think must come, I’ve given it in Dubai. So, I’ve done my part,” Jingles added.
“I’ve given it to the team, the CEO said he will support me. I believe they will support, I’m positive. I’m professional, I know what to do. I’m a serious coach. I’ve done my work, I expect the team to support me.
“And Iranian players by the way because we’ve checked. We watch games every week, we check. We are not just drinking coffee. We’ve given a list of Iranian players,” he concluded.
