Amir Ghalenoei
Tehran, 1963. The city buzzed with life as Ardeshir Ghalenoei took his first breath on the 21st of November that year. His father worked as a taxi driver and died when Amir was only thirteen years old. This early loss shaped the boy who would later become known as General. He began playing football in the late 1970s after passing a technical test for Rah Ahan. One of the oldest clubs in Iranian football welcomed him into their youth team. For two years he trained there before promotion to the first team squad arrived in 1981. Nasser Ebrahimi made the decision to promote him. During his time at Rah Ahan he scored three goals during the domestic Tehran Hazfi cup.
When Nasser Ebrahimi became Shahin's coach, Ghalenoei moved to Shahin along with him. The club held several national players such as Nasrollah Abdollahi, Mehdi Dinvarzadeh, and Hamid Majd Teymouri. After Dinvarzadeh retired, Ghalenoei became the club's captain. During his time in Shahin, he helped the team finish as runner-up in two Tehran leagues in 1985 and 1986. He played his last match for Shahin in a 2, 0 victory against Persepolis where both goals were on Ghalenoei's assists. He left the team in the middle of the 1987, 88 season and signed with the Qatari club of Al-Sadd. He signed a contract with Al-Sadd in 1987. He helped his side win two domestic league titles and one Emir of Qatar title. Al-Sadd also won the 1988, 89 edition of AFC Champions League in spring of 1989 after defeating Al-Rasheed in the final.
He joined Esteghlal in July 1989 and played for the club until his retirement. His debut came in a game against Persepolis in a quarter final Hazfi Cup match where he lost his penalty kick. He won the Iran league title in his first full season at the club in spring 1990. Esteglost also won the Asian Club Championship on the following season after nearly twenty years. Ghalenoei lost most of the next season due to a heavy injury. At that season, Esteghlal could not obtain an entry to the next season of Azadegan league and thus was asked to play in the 3rd Division for one season. This meant the departure of many players like Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh, Shahrokh Bayani, Majid Namjoo-Motlagh, Samad Marfavi and Reza Ahadi but Ghalenoei remained at the team. He became the club's new captain. Fans bestowed upon him the title General due to his outstanding skills in leading the team during his career as the club.
After serving as the Esteghlal's interim head coach in five matches in spring 2002 and winning the Hazfi cup with this team, he was appointed as Esteghlal's assistant coach for the next season. However, he left the team before the season started and joined Esteghlal Ahvaz in the fifth week of the 2002, 03 league. He was officially named as Esteghlal's head coach before the 2003, 04 season by the club chairman Mohammad Gharib. He succeeded Mansour Pourheidari who Ghalenoei was his assistant for the years. At the end of the season, Esteghlal lost the league after a defeat to Esteghlal Ahvaz, the team Ghalenoei coached in 2002 in the final match. His transition from player to coach began quietly but quickly gained momentum through these early appointments.
IRIFF appointed Ghalenoei as head coach of the Iran national football team on the 17th of July 2006 to succeed Branko Ivanković. After finishing first in the qualifying round two points ahead of South Korea and then finishing first in the group stage of the final tournament in Malaysia, Iran lost to South Korea in the penalty shoot-outs of the Quarters Final match and was eliminated from the 2007 Asian Cup. Ghalenoei was heavily criticized by the press. After a period of discussion in the Iranian football federation, his contract was not renewed and national team was left with a caretaker manager for several months. He returned as coach of Iran in 2023 and led them to a semi-final appearance at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
He signed for Sepahan in summer 2009. Where he won the Persian Gulf Cup for the second time in a row, but failed to qualify for last 16 in the AFC Champions League for the second time in the row. Ghalenoei renewed his contract with Sepahan for the upcoming season, where he won the league for the third time in the row and second time with Sepahan. Sepahan had excellent performance in AFC Champions League as well and qualified for quarter final with five wins in seven matches. However, after that he left Sepahan on the 4th of June 2011 due to conflict with the new board director though he had led the club to the quarter finals of the AFC Champions League as the best team of west Asian division.
Ghalenoei has been the most successful coach in the Iran Pro League and managed several clubs including Esteghlal, Mes Kerman, Sepahan S.C. and Tractor. With two of which he won a total of five championships and two Hazfi Cup titles. He received multiple Manager of the Year awards including Iranian Manager of the Year in 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2018. The Iran Football Federation Awarded him coach of the season in 2012, 13. His status stands as the most decorated coach in Iranian football history. These accolades reflect decades of consistent performance across different teams and competitions.
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Common questions
When was Amir Ghalenoei born and where?
Amir Ghalenoei was born on the 21st of November 1963 in Tehran. His father worked as a taxi driver and died when Amir was only thirteen years old.
Which clubs did Amir Ghalenoei play for during his career?
Amir Ghalenoei played for Rah Ahan, Shahin, Al-Sadd, and Esteghlal before retiring. He scored three goals during the domestic Tehran Hazfi cup while at Rah Ahan and helped Shahin finish as runner-up in two Tehran leagues in 1985 and 1986.
Why is Amir Ghalenoei known as General?
Fans bestowed upon him the title General due to his outstanding skills in leading the team during his career as the club captain. This nickname emerged after he remained with Esteghlal when many other players departed following their relegation to the 3rd Division.
What happened during Amir Ghalenoei's tenure as Iran national football team coach in 2007?
IRIFF appointed Amir Ghalenoei as head coach of the Iran national football team on the 17th of July 2006 to succeed Branko Ivanković. Iran lost to South Korea in the penalty shoot-outs of the Quarters Final match and was eliminated from the 2007 Asian Cup.
How many championships did Amir Ghalenoei win as a manager?
Amir Ghalenoei won a total of five championships and two Hazfi Cup titles across several clubs including Esteghlal, Mes Kerman, Sepahan S.C., and Tractor. He received multiple Manager of the Year awards including Iranian Manager of the Year in 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2018.