TEHRAN - Paco Jemez's departure from Tractor football team highlights the ongoing struggles of foreign coaches in Iran's top football league, the Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL).

Under Jemez's stewardship, Tractor narrowly missed out on their maiden Iran league title. A crushing 4-1 defeat to Zob Ahan last week left them 10 points adrift of leaders Esteghlal, a result that proved costly for the Spanish coach.

According to the media reports, Jemez asked to leave the Tabriz-based club, and his request was approved. The 54-year-old had been in charge since December 2022 but failed to deliver any silverware during his tenure.

Sepahan, another big Iranian team with a foreign coach, Portuguese José Morais, have also fallen short of expectations. Despite being title favorites and spending heavily on big-name players, Sepahan's championship hopes have been dashed due to their poor recent form, including only earning two points in their last matches.

Marinos Ouzounidis, Greek coach of Gol Gohar Sirjan, has similarly failed to meet expectations, leaving the team languishing in mid-table, far from the top-four finish fans had anticipated.

The 2023/24 PGPL season has seen further foreign coaches’ departure, with Spanish managers Juan Ignacio Martínez and Lucas Alcaraz departing Foolad and Nassaji respectively before the season's end, unable to deliver the desired results.

*Why are foreign coaches struggling in Iran?

Several factors contribute to the struggles of foreign coaches in Iran. One is a lack of familiarity with the Iranian football culture and conditions. The foreign coaches need time to adapt, which can hinder their performance.

Another factor is managerial instability. The Iranian clubs frequently experience managerial changes, creating instability and disrupting long-term plans.

Supporters’ pressure also plays a role. The Iranian fans are passionate about their teams and demand immediate success. The foreign coaches face intense scrutiny and are quickly scapegoated when results falter.

“The Iranian football is a world of its own,” said former Iran national team coach Carlos Queiroz. “The foreign coaches must adapt to these unique circumstances to succeed.”

Until these challenges are adequately addressed, the foreign coaches are likely to continue facing an uphill battle in Iran.