In another indication of the low tolerance of Iranian coaches for any criticism, the post-match press conference attended by hordes of reporters , Ghalenoei strongly lashed out at Adel Ferdowsipour and his Football TV Show “Navad”. In an scathing attack , he called the famous TV presenter and his program “the illness of Iran’s football.“

Ghalenoei said that he is thinking to sue Navad program presenter if the legislations allows him to do so while he ordered Navad to stop mentioning his name on that program. Ghalenoei also banned any of his player communication with the TV show in any manner.  To add icing on the cake, Amir Ghalenoei also criticized Mohammad Fanei, the refereeing expert  who was present on the show and considered what is going on in “Navad” a pre-meditated orchestrated attack on Esteghlal Club!!!

Such radical reaction by Ghalenoei , is neither new nor unusual , however it is an alarming symptom of the deteriorating personality of Iranian coaches, their tolerance level, character and demeanor in public. Ghalenoei has just come out of another public bout with Javad Nekounam after the Team Melli Captain, accused his former coach with incompetency and failure to address tactical issues and preserve respect for his staff and players.

After Ghalenoei finished his wrath against Ferdowsipour, the customary questions time ensued as he invited the reporters to present their questions. In a very unique solidarity with a colleague in the media, not a single reporter asked him a question in what was very clear indication of the reporters’ disgust and in protest against the harsh language of the Esteghlal coach.

Ghalenoei style and verbal backlash is not very dissimilar to another fiery coach, Ali Daei the current coach of Persepolis.   While Queiroz is not exactly exemplary when it comes to accepting criticism, being hyper-sensitive to negative comments by anyone, The Team Melli coach does react in a much calmer manner which is much presentable and to an acceptable level without over dramatizing or insulting the opposite party.

Both Daei and Ghalenoei , along with Hossein Faraki , where on the shortlist of Ali Kaffashian to replace Carlos Queiroz if the two side did not agree terms. With the negotiations still at stalemate between the Portuguese coach and FFIRI, it is very much a possibility that Kaffashian might pick one of the three for Team Melli.

With Daei and Ghalenoei characters seriously in question, Hossein Faraki remains the best bet if the negotiation with Queiroz fails.