ESTEGHLAL TEHRAN

Esteghlal Tehran Club is one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in Iran, founded in 1945 (1324 AH). Below is a detailed history of this club:

Foundation and Early Activities:

Esteghlal Tehran Club was established on September 26, 1945, under the name “Docharkhesavaran” (Cyclists) by a group of young cyclists from Tehran. This group, led by Mirza Hassan Soltani, Ali Danaeifar, and Parviz Khosravani, was founded with the aim of promoting cycling and football in Tehran. Initially, the club’s activities were mainly focused on cycling, but over time, football became the main sport of the club.

Name Change to Taj:

In 1949 (1328 AH), the club changed its name to “Taj” (Crown). This name change reflected the club’s growing development and power. During this period, the Taj football team became one of the top football powers in Iran and achieved many successes at the national level.

Post-Revolution Era:

After the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 (1357 AH), the club’s name was changed to “Esteghlal” (Independence). This name change was due to the removal of symbols associated with the monarchy and to bring the club closer to the values of the Islamic Republic. During this period, Esteghlal emerged as one of the two main football poles in Iran, alongside Persepolis.

Domestic Successes:

Esteghlal Tehran has won the Iranian Premier League multiple times throughout its history. The team has also won the Hazfi Cup several times and has always been one of the main contenders in these competitions.

International Successes:

Esteghlal Tehran has also achieved significant successes at the Asian level. The club won the Asian Club Championship twice, in 1970 and 1991. Esteghlal has also reached the final stages of these competitions multiple times and has always been one of Iran’s powerful representatives in Asian competitions.

Fans:

Esteghlal is one of the most popular football clubs in Iran. The club’s fans are widespread throughout the country and consistently show passionate support for their team.

Managers and Coaches:

Throughout its history, Esteghlal has seen various managers and coaches. Some of the prominent coaches include Mansour Pourheidari, Nasser Hejazi, Parviz Mazloumi, and Farhad Majidi. The club has also faced multiple management challenges, some of which have directly impacted the team’s performance.

Rivalries:

Esteghlal’s main rivalry is with Persepolis Tehran. This rivalry, known as the “Tehran Derby,” is one of the most intense and exciting football matches in Asia and even the world.

Modern Era:

In recent years, Esteghlal has remained one of the main contenders in the Iranian Premier League and has continued to strive to maintain its position in Iranian and Asian football.

Esteghlal Tehran Club, with its tumultuous history, is one of the symbols of Iranian sports and continues to be recognized as one of the main football powers in Iran.