Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan Football Club (Persian: باشگاه فوتبال فولاد مبارکه ی سپاهان اصفهان) commonly known as Sepahan is an Iranian football club based in Isfahan, Iran.[1] They compete in Iran's top-level league known as Iran Pro League and hold most of the records in the IPL under their belt.[citation needed] In 2002–03 season, they became the first non-Tehran based team to win the Iranian League title. Sepahan is the current champion of IPL in 2011–12 season, reaching the record of four championships in the eleven-year IPL history. They are also the first and the only Iranian football club who won three consecutive titles in Iranian Football League history.
Sepahan have been the most successful football club in Iran since the establishment of Iran Pro League in 2001, with four IPL championships and four Hazfi Cup titles. They are also the first Iranian club who reached the AFC Champions League final in 2007 and qualified to play in the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup at the same year.
Sepahan Football Club is usually known for its successful and consistent management in Iranian Football System. By winning multiple tiles since 2003, they have succeeded to end the complete dominance of two famous clubs, Persepolis and Esteghlal, in Iranian Football System. The Club is the football division of Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan Sport Club and is owned by Mobarakeh Steel Co..
Club history
Early years
Shahin Isfahan Club
In 1953, with the help of Mahmoud Hariri, the Shahin Isfahan club was created. This club was one of teams attached to the more popular and successful Shahin F.C. of Tehran. In 1967 due to the problems that arose in the Shahin F.C. organization in Tehran, the Isfahan branch was forced to cease operations. The club changed its name to Sepahan. The club participated in Takht Jamshid Cup league since 1974 to 1978. After the Revolution, they played in the local Isfahan leagues for many years until 1993. That year the club was purchased by the Siman (cement) factory of Isfahan. It participated in the Azadegan League until the year 2000, when Foolad Mobarekeh (Steel Mill of Mobarekeh Isfahan) bought the team from the Siman factory. The team now plays under the name of Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan, and enjoys very good support by the club board, and has been able to attain a respectable fan base in its hometown.
IPL & AFC Champions League
The club was able to demonstrate its worth when it captured the league title in the 2002–03 season of the IPL, and qualified for the AFC Champions League tournament. It also won the Hazfi Cup in 2004 and was able to qualify for another season of the ACL competition, though the club did not have much success in the continental tournaments of ACL 2004 and 2005.
With Luka Bonačić, Sepahan was able to once again win the Hazfi Cup on 22 September 2006. With this win, they gained Iran's final and second spot in the AFC Champions League 2007. They were impressive in continental stage as they finished top of their group and defeated Kawasaki Frontale of Japan and Al Wahda of the UAE to reach the final of the newly established continental tournament for the first time. Although they lost the final to Urawa Red Diamonds on aggregate, by reaching the final, Sepahan became the first Iranian club to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.
In the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2007, Sepahan defeated Waitakere United of New Zealand to reach the quarter-final where they met Urawa Red Diamonds for a spot in the semifinal match against AC Milan. Urawa Reds managed to defeat Sepahan for the second time in just one month, reaching the semifinals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
By winning the Hazfi Cup once again in 2007, Sepahan also qualified for the AFC Champions League 2008, but could not repeat their success of 2007.
Sepahan has qualified for the AFC Champions League for the third consecutive time in 2009, coming as the Runners-up in Persian Gulf Cup 2007-08. Sepahan lost the title by only one point to Persepolis F.C., who beat them 2–1 in the last match of the season with a winner six minutes into second half injury time. They tried to improve the team where they sacked the Brazilian coach Viera and replaced him with the German coach Firat but they had a difficult season where they could not win anything in 2008–09 season and changed the coach for 3 times.
In the next season sepahan hired Turkish and former Iran's assistant coach Engin Firat, but he was fired after getting poor result in the league, and Hossein Charkhabi who was Sepahan Novin head coach at that time replaced Firat. Despite getting good result with team Charkahbi was replaced once again with Farhad Kazemi who won the league title with Sepahan in 2002–03 season. Finally Sepahan finished 4th in the league and qualified for 2010 AFC Champions League Group stage. In the next season club hired former's Iran & Esteghlal head coach Amir Ghalenoei, at the helm of Sepahan's 2010 Season, the club sealed a championship title two weeks before the end of the season with a 2–2 tie against F.C. Aboomoslem.[2]
In 2010–11 Persian Gulf Cup, Sepahan dominated the league after a slow start and practically won the title 2 weeks before the season end. They also advanced to the knock out stage of the ACL competition, after finishing on top of the table in the group stage. Their group was arguably the group of death, consisting of Al-Hilal, Al Gharafa and Al-Jazira. They won their third championship and became the most successful team in Iran Pro League. They also repeated their league title in 2011-12 season, this time with Croatian manager, Zlatko Kranjčar. Sepahan also made it to the quarter-finals of 2012 AFC Champions League after defeating the fellow Iranian club Esteghlal.
In 2013 however, Sepahan was placed in Group C of the 2013 AFC Champions League and was unable to get past 2013 AFC Champions League group stage. Being placed in the same group as Al-Gharafa Sports Club of Qatar, Al-Ahli SC (Jeddah) of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates' Al Nasr SC, they were unsuccessful to qualify as one of the top two teams of their group. Sepahan started the 2013 AFC Champions League with a great win at home against Al Nasr SC, however heading for an away game against Al-Gharafa Sports Club in Qatar, Sepahan only returned home humiliated by the Qatari team in a 3-1 lost game. That was not the end of Sepahan's poor performance in the AFC Champions League. About three weeks after their loss in Qatar, Sepahan hosted Al-Ahli SC (Jeddah) at Foolad Shahr Stadium,losing poorly once again but this time with a score of 4-2. Sepahan still had a chance after those two losses, but all hopes were lost once they lost in front of the Saudi giants again, this time with a score of 4-1 thus having them bid farewell to the 2013 AFC Champions League.
Reserve team
Sepahan is also one of the clubs in Iranian football to have a senior reserve team, Foolad Sepahan Novin F.C., that as of the 2007/08 season, participates in 3rd Division and the Hazfi Cup.
Isfahan Derby
- Main articles: Isfahan Derby
The Naqsh-e Jahan derby is a football match played annually in of Isfahan, Iran, between the two rival professional teams of the city: Zob Ahan F.C. and Sepahan F.C..
Naqsh-e Jahan is an important square in old centrum of Isfahan.
According to Iranian football journalist Afshin Afshar, the competition is one of the most popular annual football events in Iran.[3] Isfahan derby goes back to the 1970s, when Zob Ahan F.C. and Sepahan F.C. faced each other in Takht Jamshid Cup seasons(1974/75, 1975/76, 1976/77, 1977/78). Their rivalry resumed in the 1990s when they faced each other in
Azadegan League seasons (1993/94, 1996/97, 1997/98) and from then on the two met each other twice a year.
Main rivalries
- Main articles: Esteghlal–Sepahan rivalry
- Main articles: Persepolis–Sepahan rivalry
Esteghlal–Sepahan and Persepolis–Sepahan rivalries are the two important Iran Football Rivalries played between Sepahan and two football clubs: Esteghlal and Persepolis.
Stadium
The Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Isfahan, Iran that is home ground of Sepahan. It is currently used for football matches. The stadium was built in 2003 and holds 45,000 in a three-tier configuration. It is currently used by Sepahan, an Iranian football team in Iran's Premier Football League.The first phase finished in 2003 and they have decided to finish the second phase which is the first floor of the stadium. It was started in 2007 and has been going on but meant to finish by 2008 and is still going on till summer 2014. The final capacity in of the stadium will be 75,000. Sepahan's second home ground is Foolad Shahr Stadium that is home ground of Zob Ahan F.C. too. Some of matches of Sepahan are held in that stadium.
Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium it will be the second biggest stadium in Iran after the Azadi Stadium.
Season-by-season
For details on seasons, see List of Sepahan F.C. seasons
| Season |
Div. |
Pos. |
Hazfi Cup |
Asia |
| 2001–02 |
IPL |
9th |
Semi-Final |
- |
- |
| 2002–03 |
IPL |
1st |
Semi-Final |
- |
- |
| 2003–04 |
IPL |
6th |
Champion |
CL |
Group stage |
| 2004–05 |
IPL |
10th |
1/8 Final |
CL |
Group stage |
| 2005–06 |
IPL |
7th |
Champion |
- |
- |
| 2006–07 |
IPL |
5th |
Champion |
CL |
Final |
| 2007–08 |
IPL |
2nd |
Quarter-Final |
CL |
Group stage |
| 2008–09 |
IPL |
4th |
1/8 Final |
CL |
Group stage |
| 2009–10 |
IPL |
1st |
1/8 Final |
CL |
Group stage |
| 2010–11 |
IPL |
1st |
Quarter-Final |
CL |
Quarter-Final |
| 2011–12 |
IPL |
1st |
Round of 32 |
CL |
Quarter-Final |
| 2012–13 |
IPL |
3rd |
Champion |
CL |
Group stage |
|
Club honours
- Winners (4): 2002–03, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12
- Runner Up (1): 2007–08
- Winners (4): 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2012–13
- Runner Up (1): 2007
Players
- Updated 18 December 2013.[4][5]
First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Reserves and Academy
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. |
|
Position |
Player
|
| 17 |
 |
MF |
Milad Sarlak
|
| 19 |
|
DF |
Ali Gholami
|
| 24 |
|
DF |
Armin Sohrabian
|
| 26 |
|
FW |
Ali Choopani |
|
|
| No. |
|
Position |
Player
|
| 27 |
|
GK |
Mehdi Amini
|
| 30 |
|
DF |
Ahmad Eskandari
|
| 33 |
|
DF |
Saeed Ghaedifar
|
| 39 |
|
DF |
Mohammad Roshandel |
|
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
|
| No. |
|
Position |
Player
|
| - |
|
GK |
Mohammad Nasseri (at Gostaresh) |
|
For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers winter 2013–14.
Past Notable players
This list of former players includes those who received international caps (in bold) while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.
- Iran
|
- AFC
- CAF
- CONMEBOL
- UEFA
|
Former players
For details on former players, see Category:Sepahan players.
Managerial staff
Current managerial staff
| Position |
Staff |
|---|
| Head coach |
 Zlatko Kranjčar |
| Assistant coach |
Mahmoud Karimi |
| Assistant coach |
Ghasem Zaghinejad |
| Goalkeepers coach |
Tonči Merdolias |
| Fitness trainer |
Luka Radman |
| Translator |
Reza Chalangar |
| Analyzer |
Manouchehr Rezaei |
| Physiotherapist |
Abbas Yousefzadeh |
| Doctor |
Mohammad Rashadi |
| Assistant doctor |
Asghar Shirkosh |
| Administrative manager |
Reza Fatahi |
| Executive manager |
Mohammad Faramarzi |
Head coaches
Below is a list of Sepahan coaches from 1953 until the present day.[6][7][8]
| Name of the coach |
Nationality |
Years |
| Mahmoud Hariri |
.svg.png) |
1953–60 |
| Technical Commission |
1960–70 |
| Mahmoud Yavari |
|
1970–78 |
| Zdravko Rajkov |
 |
1978 |
| Mahmoud Yavari |
|
1978–80 |
| Masoud Tabesh |
|
1980–92 |
| Ali Razmine |
|
1992–93 |
| Firouz Karimi |
|
1993–94 |
| Nasser Hejazi |
|
1994–95 |
| Mahmoud Yavari |
|
1995–96 |
| Rasoul Korbekandi |
|
1996–98 |
| Mehdi Monajati |
|
1998–99 |
| Hamid Nadimian |
|
1999–01 |
| Stanko Poklepović |
|
2001–02 |
| Farhad Kazemi |
|
2002–05 |
| Stanko Poklepović |
|
2005 |
| Edson Tavares |
 |
July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006 |
| Luka Bonačić |
|
March 13, 2007–Jan 15, 2008 |
| Jorvan Vieira |
|
Feb 2, 2008–June 30, 2008 |
| Engin Firat |
 |
July 1, 2008–08 |
| Hossein Charkhabi |
|
2008 |
| Farhad Kazemi |
|
2008–09 |
| Amir Ghalenoei |
|
July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2011 |
| Luka Bonačić |
|
June 26, 2011–Oct 14, 2011 |
| Karim Ghanbari* |
|
June 2011–Oct 11 |
| Zlatko Kranjčar |
|
Oct 28, 2011– |
Club officials
| Position | Name |
|---|
| President | Mehrdad Khalili |
| Vice President | Masoud Tabesh |
| Chairman of the Board | Bahman Masoudi |
| Treasurer | Ali Reza Shafiei |
| Trade and Marketing Manager | Hamidreza Keshavarzian |
| Supreme Advisor | Morteza Lachiani |
| Media and International Officer | Hamed Asfa |
| Public Relation | Hamid Bagheri |
| Media presenter | Morteza Ramazani |
|
Sponsorship
List of Sepahan records
FIFA Club World Cup participation
Top scorers in Iran Pro League
- 2002–03 : Edmond Bezik – 13 Goals
- 2009–10 :
Emad Mohammed Ridha – 19 Goals
Top scorers by season
Players on international cups
[th
References
External links
Fan club site
Foolad Mobarekeh Sepahan Sport Club |
|---|
| | | | Ground | |
|---|
| | Rivalry | |
|---|
| | Seasons | |
|---|
| | Other teams | |
|---|
|
|
|---|
| | 2013–14 teams | |
|---|
| | Former teams | |
|---|
| | Competition | |
|---|
| | Statistics and awards | |
|---|
| | Associated competitions | |
|---|
| | Seasons | |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| |
|---|
| | 8th Round (Semi-Final) | |
|---|
| | 7th Round (Quarter-Final) | |
|---|
| | 6th Round (1/8) | |
|---|
| | 5th Round (1/16) | |
|---|
| | 4th Round | |
|---|
| | 3rd Round | |
|---|
| | 2nd Round |
- Ettehad Shadgoli Qom
- Gandomkaran Moghan
- Keyvan Morgh Mahabad
- Lorestan's Champion
- Parvaz Zanjan
- Payam Vali Asr Markazi
- Sh. Zarach Yazd
- Shohadaye Aqqala
- Shohadaye Sari
- Tees Chabahar
|
|---|
| | 1st Round |
- Alborz's Champion
- Azar Kowsar Tabriz
- Est. Choram
- Est. Novin Qazvin
- Ettehad Novin Golestan
- Ilam's Champion
- Khorāsān-e Janūbī's Champion
- Mahvand Mashhad
- Moghavemat Shahrekord
- Sh. Jajarm
- Sh. Kamyaran
- Sh. Kelachay
- Sh. Novin Bandar Abbas
|
|---|
| |
|
Hazfi Cup seasons |
|---|
| | Seasons |
- 1976
- 1977
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1990
- 1991
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
|
|---|
| | Final | |
|---|
| |
|
Competitions involving Iranian clubs |
|---|
| | Domestic | |
|---|
| | Defunct | |
|---|
| | International | |
|---|
|
|
|
|---|
| | League competitions | |
|---|
| | Cup competitions | |
|---|
| | National teams | |
|---|
| | Lists and categories | |
|---|
| |
|
|
|---|
| | 9 titles: |
- Persepolis
- 1971–72, 1973-74, 1975-76, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2001-02, 2007-08
|
|---|
| | 8 titles: |
- Esteghlal Tehran
- 1970–71, 1974-75, 1989-90, 1997-98, 1900-01, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2012-13
|
|---|
| | 5 titles: |
- PAS Tehran
- 1976-77, 1977-78, 1991-92, 1992-93, 2003-04
|
|---|
| | 4 titles: |
- Sepahan
- 2002-03, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12
|
|---|
| | 3 titles: |
- Saipa
- 1993-94, 1994-95, 2006-07
|
|---|
| | 1 title: | |
|---|
|
Current season
Lotto Sport Italia
Waitakere United
3', 4'
Urawa Red Diamonds
Ibrahima Touré
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1978 FIFA World Cup
2007 AFC Asian Cup
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
2011 AFC Asian Cup