Esteghlal confirms contacts with Stramaccioni for return to bench

On Thursday Esteghlal lost Iran's cup final 3-2 and sparked ire from the club's fans, following the defeat the club confirmed in official statement that they were at work on pringing Andrea Stramaccioni back as the team's coach. Last week the club's directors were in Rome to discuss the matter with Stramaccioni's agents and present an offer, although he requested time to decide given the Covid-19 situation and the recent birth of a child. Iran's federation maintains that currently foreigners are barred from entering the country, including those who have previously resided there. Stramaccioni is leaning towards accepting, but he is waiting for guarantees from the club including a serious program, the confirmation of the club's best players and an appropriate offer. The sides continue to talk. Stramaccioni left Esteghlal in December 2019 after six months after numerous disagreements with the club.