Iranian Federation reacts, indirectly, to criticism
According to Varzesh3.
Context
مهدی مهدوی کیا, an Iranian football legend, is widely respected for his contributions to the sport and his criticism of coaching education could influence significant change. Its comparison with the German model of coach education highlights the importance of high standards in the Iranian League, where the quality of training can directly impact team performance.
Why this matters
مهدی مهدوی کیا's criticism of the Iranian Football Federation's Pro License raises crucial questions about the quality of coach education in Iran. The comparison with Germany's rigorous model highlights the need for a more robust training system that can guarantee the competence of coaches in the Iranian League. The discussion also touches on the reputation of Iranian football and confidence in its training institutions.
Main conclusions
- Iranian Federation reacts, indirectly, to criticism.
- Mahdavikia questioned the validity and accelerated format of Pro License courses in Iran, comparing them to the rigorous model in Germany.
- جواب غیرمستقیم فدراسیون به مهدویکیا.
The recent public intervention by Iranian football legend Mehdi Mahdavikia sparked heated debate in the country. Speaking in a video podcast, the former international criticized the way in which Pro License courses for coaches in Iran have been organized, pointing out alleged calendar compressions and structural weaknesses. To support his analysis, Mahdavikia compared the Iranian scenario with the German model, highlighting that, in Germany, access to the maximum coaching qualification is highly selective and requires a long journey. According to the former player, candidates for the Pro License in Germany go through a rigorous selection process and attend a course lasting at least one year, with small classes – just 12 trainees, 11 men and one woman – which reinforces the elite character and depth of the training program.
At the most controversial point, Mahdavikia cited a third party report (without revealing the identity) according to which, in Iran, a course that was supposed to last 27 days would have been “condensed” into just 9. The expression was repeated throughout the conversation and reignited doubts about the solidity of the training carried out in recent years and, by extension, about the qualifications of some coaches who obtained the Pro License in the country. The former international also mentioned a specific episode: in one of the courses held in Iran, an English trainer traveled to Tehran to teach the first stage, but ended up passing away after returning to his country, following the Covid-19 pandemic. This program, which featured names such as Ali Daei, Faraz Kamalvand, Alireza Mansourian, Akbar Misaghian and Rasoul Khatibi, began in person for around two weeks, but the escalation of Covid-19 forced the second phase to be transferred to an online format.
Faced with the wave of discussion, the Iranian Football Federation reacted indirectly: without mentioning Mahdavikia, it published on its website and in the official newspaper details of the Pro License course currently underway. According to the federation, the program began in June last year and also suffered unexpected external constraints. The first phase, taught by a Portuguese trainer, was interrupted by a 12-day conflict, which led to the rescheduling of the remaining plan. The second stage took place at the start of this season's pre-season (between the 28th of Tir and the 3rd of Mordad, in the Persian calendar), focusing on physical preparation aspects.
The model now in force, explains the federation, includes 360 hours of training spread over 63 days, across four phases. In other words, contrary to the perception of an “intensive” in a few days, the structure is phased and prolonged over time, forcing candidates to complete all modules to receive final certification. Among the participants of the current course are several well-known names in Iranian football: Moharram Navidkia, Mohammad Rabiei, Javad Nekounam, Omid Ravankhah, Rahman Rezaei, Andranik Teymourian, Ebrahim Sadeghi and Hadi Aghili, among others.
The federation also adds that the third stage is planned for the mid-season break, coinciding with the Asian Cup period, while the fourth and final stage remains without a defined date. The implicit message is clear: despite the external shocks that have marked recent years – from the pandemic to cyclical events – the current design of the courses aims to comply with a robust workload and a gradual evaluation process, seeking to respond to criticisms about the quality and demands of coach training in the country.
What happens next
The Iranian Federation is expected to react more directly to Mahdavikia's criticism, possibly implementing reforms to Pro License courses. Public pressure and the need to improve coach education could lead to a review of the curriculum and selection process. Furthermore, the discussion may encourage other former players and experts to speak out about the state of football in Iran.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Mehdi Mahdavikia?
Mehdi Mahdavikia is an Iranian football legend and former international who recently criticized the organization of Pro License courses for coaches in Iran.
What did Mahdavikia say about the Pro License in Iran?
Mahdavikia criticized the way Pro License courses are organized in Iran, pointing to calendar compressions and structural weaknesses.
How Pro License courses in Iran stack up
to those in Germany?
Mahdavikia compared the Pro License courses in Iran with those in Germany, highlighting that in Germany access is selective and requires a long course, with small classes.
What was the controversy mentioned by Mahdavikia?
Mahdavikia mentioned that a course that was supposed to last 27 days was 'condensed' into just 9, raising doubts about the quality of training in Iran.
Who participated in the Pro License courses mentioned by Mahdavikia?
The courses mentioned were attended by names such as Ali Daei, Faraz Kamalvand, Alireza Mansourian, Akbar Misaghian and Rasoul Khatibi.