Saeedloo's Appointment: Change of Tactics or Change of Face?

New head of Iran Sport Organization is the 57 years old Ali Saeedloo, a PhD holder in Petroleum Technology, Ahmadinejad’s former finance deputy at Tehran City Council, and also his deputy during his first Presidential term.

Saeedloo’s first sport management experience though initiated in 2005 in an appointment by head of PEO, as a board member of Perspolis management committee along with Maylikohan, Maleki, Ansarifard, Nejadfalah. Three days later, through members’ votes , Saeedloo was chosen as head of Perspolis management board. Despite initial crisis at Perspolis during Ali Parvin, Arie Han and Denizli under Ansarifard’s club management, board of directors managed to weather the crisis by appointing Habib Kashani as club chairman, and with his solid crisis management, Perspolis managed to break the deadlock by winning IPL championship after 6 seasons in 2007-2008 season. However, After Perspolis’ long-awaited championship, political forces dominated the sporting reasons and Habib Kashani left the club in budget dispute with PEO officials. Ali Saeedloo, one of Habib Kashani’s supporters at board of directors, also left the club in protest.

As with the new club management replacements, their poor management record is crystal clear in changing 3 chairmen, and 4 coaches in one season at Perspolis to finish a very disappointing season in 2008-2009 Season.

Saeedloo though, prior to nomination as head of PEO, was highly linked with Perspolis chaiman position,and it was reported that Habib Kashani and Hossein Hedayati will follow suit with him at the club management.

However, with his new position as head of PEO, although has not officially received vote of confidence by Parliament yet, it is expected to see sweeping changes at both Perspolis and Esteghlal’s board of directors, and as for Iran Football Federation, there are unconfirmed reports that Saeedloo favours a return of Dadkan as head of IFF.

We are in to witness the upcoming changes at Physical Education management, Federations’ management in preparation for Olympic 2012, Iran football federation and government-owned Perspolis and Esteghlal management; But let’s hope, Saeedloo’s appointment was rather a change of tactic instead of a mere change of face to improve Iran sports’ current unprecedented downfall.