Andrea Stramaccioni Opens Door to Return to Esteghlal
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Andrea Stramaccioni says he “had no choice” but to leave Iranian football team Esteghlal but has left the door open to return to the team.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Stramaccioni admitted he was sorry to leave the club but could return to the team if the problems were solved.
“There’s great bitterness at the way in which this journey has come to an end. It was a fascinating job, an adventure, different to anything I have experienced in my career before,” the Italian coach added.
“We were forced to annul the contract. In the last few months the club, despite many failed promises, didn’t fulfill their obligations from a legal point of view,” he added.
“I regret this because the team is at the top of the table, where it hadn’t been for six years. Playing in stadiums with 100,000 people and playing in the Asian Champions League was beautiful.
“For me, it was a great honor to coach a team with such great fans and I am proud of my affection for them,” the Italian stated.
Despite the bad blood between him and the board, which has since stepped down, the ex-Udinese coach suggested he could return on one condition.
“I would come back to Iran tomorrow if the problems were solved.”
