Zob Ahan FC
Encyclopedia
Zob Ahan Football Club is an Iran
ian football
club based in Isfahan, Iran
. They compete in the Iran Pro League.
The team is sponsored by the Isfahan Steel Company, which also goes by the name Zob Ahan
. The club's main rival is fellow Isfahani team Sepahan
, which is also sponsored by the rival steel mill.
Zob Ahan club also has a basketball team
, sponsored by the same Isfahan Steel Company, which is one of the teams in the Iranian Super League.
in 1973 and end season in the 10th place. They promoted to the quarterfinals of the Hazfi Cup
in 1976. Their best results in Takht Jamshid Cup was erned in 1977–78 in the 8th place. Zob Ahan prepared its team by buying 14 players from their local rivals Sepahan
.
in 1979, Takht Jamshid Cup was suspended due to Iran-Iraq War
. After the end of the war, league began again in the title of Azadegan League. They were once again promoted to the 1st division the year after.
in 2003, after defeating the Shiraz
-based team Moghavemat Sepasi in the finals. This feat was repeated in the 2008–09 Hazfi Cup, when the club beat Rah Ahan F.C. to re-claim the title after 6 years. The club made its first appearance in the Asian Champions League in 2004, as the winners of the 2003 Hazfi Cup
, but were eliminated in the group stages.
Having missed out so narrowly on winning their first-ever domestic league title in the 2008–2009 season, Zobahan were one of the title contenders once again in the 2009/10 season
, never dropping out of the top-four positions throughout the season. However, at the end, they had to settle for second place once again
after finishing six points behind their city rivals Sepahan F.C.. They also lost their grip on the Hazfi Cup
after a shock 0–2 loss to a second-division side Gostaresh Foolad F.C.
in the semi-finals.
, Al-Wahda and Al-Ittihad. By finishing first they qualified for the first time for the Knockout stages. On the Round of 16 they draw country neighbours Mes Kerman winning 1–0. The club then qualified to the Quarter-finals and were drawn with title holders Pohang Steelers
, Zob Ahan won 2–1 at home and draw 1–1 on Korea, knocking-out shockingly the title holders. Zob Ahan played against Saudi powerhouse Al-Hilal
which they won 1–0 at home, and won 1–0 on Saudi Arabia with a goal from Igor Castro
leading the club to an historical Asian Champions League final where they face Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
. On November 13, in the final Zob Ahan lost 1–3 to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
. At half-time the score was 0–1 with a goal from Saša Ognenovski
, in the second-half Zob Ahan conceded an early goal scored by Cho Byung-Kuk
making the score 0–2, Zob Ahan finally scored the goal from Mohammad Reza Khalatbari
making 1–2, but on the last minutes of the game Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
scored the 1–3 and killed the game. Zob Ahan couldn't be the champions on their 2nd Asian Champions League participation always being under-dogs, but they fought like warriors and made Iran
proud.
is one of the most important matches in the Iran Pro League.
Esfahan derby goes back to the 1970s, when Zob Ahan 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.
(Vice-Captain)
For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers, summer 2011.
Iran Mahmood Ebrahimzadeh
Esmaeil Farhadi Sepehr Heidari
Rasoul Korbekandi
Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi
Mehdi Rajabzadeh
Rahman Rezaei
Mohammad Reza Khalatbari
Reza Sahebi
Mohammad Salsali Ebrahim Taghipour
Europe Armenak Petrosyan Levon Stepanyan
Gheorghe Stratulat
Africa Issa Ndoye
South America Igor Castro
matches are counted.
Last updated 22 November 2011.
* Relegated.
** Promoted.
. Company is the first Iranian steel maker opened in late 1960, based close to the cities of Fooladshahr and Zarrinshahr
, Isfahan Province.
Zob Ahan-e Esfahan and Iran's first car manufacturer, Iran National (renamed Iran Khodro after the Iranian revolution
) were parts of a significant move from mainly agriculture-based economy toward industrialization by the pre-revolutionary government of Amir Abbas Hoveida
.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club based in Isfahan, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. They compete in the Iran Pro League.
The team is sponsored by the Isfahan Steel Company, which also goes by the name Zob Ahan
Esfahan Steel Company
Esfahan Steel Company is the first Iranian steel maker opened in late 1960s, based close to the cities of Fooladshahr and Zarrinshahr, Esfahan Province....
. The club's main rival is fellow Isfahani team Sepahan
Sepahan
Sepahan Esfahan is an Iranian football club based in Isfahan, Iran. They compete in Iran's top flight known as Persian Gulf League and hold most of the records in the PGL under their belt. Sepahan are the latest champions of the PGL in 2010–11 season for the record third time in the ten-year PGL...
, which is also sponsored by the rival steel mill.
Zob Ahan club also has a basketball team
Zob Ahan Esfahan BC
Zob Ahan Basketball Club is an Iranian basketball club based in Isfahan, Iran. They compete in the Iranian Basketball Super League.It is sponsored by the Isfahan Steel Company, which also goes by the name Zob Ahan...
, sponsored by the same Isfahan Steel Company, which is one of the teams in the Iranian Super League.
Early years (1969–1980)
Mohammad Ali Taghizadeh Farahmand established the club in 1969. They entered the Takht Jamshid CupTakht Jamshid Cup
The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league...
in 1973 and end season in the 10th place. They promoted to the quarterfinals of the Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup
The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
in 1976. Their best results in Takht Jamshid Cup was erned in 1977–78 in the 8th place. Zob Ahan prepared its team by buying 14 players from their local rivals Sepahan
Sepahan
Sepahan Esfahan is an Iranian football club based in Isfahan, Iran. They compete in Iran's top flight known as Persian Gulf League and hold most of the records in the PGL under their belt. Sepahan are the latest champions of the PGL in 2010–11 season for the record third time in the ten-year PGL...
.
Azadegan League (1980–2001)
The team has participated in the highest division of the Iranian league system since 1973, except for the 1995 season when they played in the 2nd division. After Iranian RevolutionIranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
in 1979, Takht Jamshid Cup was suspended due to Iran-Iraq War
Iran-Iraq War
The Iran–Iraq War was an armed conflict between the armed forces of Iraq and Iran, lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, making it the longest conventional war of the twentieth century...
. After the end of the war, league began again in the title of Azadegan League. They were once again promoted to the 1st division the year after.
IPL (2001–Present)
Zob Ahan currently play in the IPL starting from 2001. The club's first honor, remains the winning of the Hazfi CupHazfi Cup
The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
in 2003, after defeating the Shiraz
Shiraz
Shiraz may refer to:* Shiraz, Iran, a city in Iran* Shiraz County, an administrative subdivision of Iran* Vosketap, Armenia, formerly called ShirazPeople:* Hovhannes Shiraz, Armenian poet* Ara Shiraz, Armenian sculptor...
-based team Moghavemat Sepasi in the finals. This feat was repeated in the 2008–09 Hazfi Cup, when the club beat Rah Ahan F.C. to re-claim the title after 6 years. The club made its first appearance in the Asian Champions League in 2004, as the winners of the 2003 Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup
The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
, but were eliminated in the group stages.
Having missed out so narrowly on winning their first-ever domestic league title in the 2008–2009 season, Zobahan were one of the title contenders once again in the 2009/10 season
2009–10 Persian Gulf Cup
The 2009–10 Persian Gulf Cup began on August 8, 2009 and ended on May 19, 2010. This was the ninth Iran Pro League season since its establishment...
, never dropping out of the top-four positions throughout the season. However, at the end, they had to settle for second place once again
after finishing six points behind their city rivals Sepahan F.C.. They also lost their grip on the Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup
The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
after a shock 0–2 loss to a second-division side Gostaresh Foolad F.C.
Gostaresh Foolad F.C.
Gostaresh Foolad F.C. is an Iranian football club based in Tabriz, Iran. They currently compete in the Azadegan League.-History:Formed in 2009, Gostaresh took over the licence of Niroye Zamini F.C. when they ran into financial difficulties...
in the semi-finals.
2010 AFC Champion League
In the 2010 AFC Champions League Zob Ahan finished first on the group stage that included FC BunyodkorFC Bunyodkor
FC Bunyodkor is an Uzbek football club based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.The club finished second in the 2007 Uzbek League season and made the semi-finals of the 2008 AFC Champions League...
, Al-Wahda and Al-Ittihad. By finishing first they qualified for the first time for the Knockout stages. On the Round of 16 they draw country neighbours Mes Kerman winning 1–0. The club then qualified to the Quarter-finals and were drawn with title holders Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...
, Zob Ahan won 2–1 at home and draw 1–1 on Korea, knocking-out shockingly the title holders. Zob Ahan played against Saudi powerhouse Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club...
which they won 1–0 at home, and won 1–0 on Saudi Arabia with a goal from Igor Castro
Igor José Marigo de Castro
Igor José Marigo de Castro , commonly known as Igor or Igor Castro is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Iran Pro League side Zob Ahan.-Club career:...
leading the club to an historical Asian Champions League final where they face Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...
. On November 13, in the final Zob Ahan lost 1–3 to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...
. At half-time the score was 0–1 with a goal from Saša Ognenovski
Sasa Ognenovski
Saša Ognenovski is an Australian football player who currently plays as a central defender for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and the Australia national team. Since moving to South Korea, Ognenovski's success has rapidly risen. In 2010, he was named Asian Footballer of the Year, won a position in the...
, in the second-half Zob Ahan conceded an early goal scored by Cho Byung-Kuk
Cho Byung-Kuk
Cho Byung-Kuk is a South Korean football player who began his professional career in 2002 with K-League club Suwon Samsung Bluewings. He moved to Chunnam Dragons at the end of the 2004 season in a swap deal which saw Kim Nam-Il move to Suwon Samsung Bluewings...
making the score 0–2, Zob Ahan finally scored the goal from Mohammad Reza Khalatbari
Mohammad Reza Khalatbari
Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari is an Iranian football player, he plays as striker for Al Gharrafa in Qatar Stars League.- Club career :Khalatbari began his career with Shamoushak just after being released by Esteghlal's youth academy and joined Aboumoslem in the summer of 2004. After two years with F.C...
making 1–2, but on the last minutes of the game Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...
scored the 1–3 and killed the game. Zob Ahan couldn't be the champions on their 2nd Asian Champions League participation always being under-dogs, but they fought like warriors and made Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
proud.
Colours and crest
One of Zob Ahan's nicknames is Sabzpoushan ("The Greens"), stemming from their traditional kit, which is predominantly green. From the foundation of the club, the common home kit includes a green shirt, black or white shorts, and white or yellow socks. White and black colours are also seen in the kit. The away kit of the club is commonly with a white background.Stadium and facilities
The home stadium of the club is Foolad Shahr Stadium located in Fooladshahr, Isfahan. The stadium had 20,000 capacity but was changed to about 30,000 in 2011. The stadium was built in 1998. The other stadium of Zob Ahan is Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium belongs to the Sepahan FC with 75,000 capacity. The training stadium is located outside of Isfahan named Zob Ahan Private Stadium.Rivalries
Zob Ahan is one side of Iran's most important football match which is called Esfahan derby of Naghsh-e-Jahan derby. According to Iranian football journalist Afshin Afshar, the rivalry between Zob Ahan and SepahanSepahan
Sepahan Esfahan is an Iranian football club based in Isfahan, Iran. They compete in Iran's top flight known as Persian Gulf League and hold most of the records in the PGL under their belt. Sepahan are the latest champions of the PGL in 2010–11 season for the record third time in the ten-year PGL...
is one of the most important matches in the Iran Pro League.
Esfahan derby goes back to the 1970s, when Zob Ahan and Sepahan F.C. faced each other in Takht Jamshid Cup
Takht Jamshid Cup
The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league...
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.
First-team squad
As of 16 June 2011(Vice-Captain)
For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers, summer 2011.
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 Mahmood Ebrahimzadeh
Mahmood Ebrahimzadeh
Mahmood Ebrahimzadeh is a retired Iranian footballer and now football coach. In 1980, during the Iran-Iraq War, he left Iran and went to Germany. He is now an American citizen.-Playing career:...
Esmaeil Farhadi Sepehr Heidari
Sepehr Heidari
Sepehr Heidari is an Iranian football defender who currently plays for Mes Kerman in Iran Pro League and the Iran national football team. He has a bachelor of Mechanical engineering from Najaf Abad Azad University.-Club career:...
Rasoul Korbekandi
Rasoul Korbekandi
Mohammad Reza Rasoul Korbekandi is a retired Iranian football player and now manager.He was a member of the Iran squad which participated at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.-Coaching career:-References:...
Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi
Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi
Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi or Ostadasadli is a retired Iranian football player.He played for a few clubs, most notably Zob Ahan FC and in the final years of his career Mashin Sazi of Tabriz....
Mehdi Rajabzadeh
Mehdi Rajabzadeh
Mehdi Rajabzadeh is an Iranian football player, currently playing for Fajr Sepasi in Iran Pro League.-Club career:Rajabzadeh started his career at Fajr Sepasi where he impressed enough to be transferred to Zob Ahan FC in 2003...
Rahman Rezaei
Rahman Rezaei
Rahman Rezaei is an Iranian football player who currently plays for Paykan in the Iran Pro League. He is also a former member of the Iran national football team and usually plays in the centre back position.-Club career:...
Mohammad Reza Khalatbari
Mohammad Reza Khalatbari
Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari is an Iranian football player, he plays as striker for Al Gharrafa in Qatar Stars League.- Club career :Khalatbari began his career with Shamoushak just after being released by Esteghlal's youth academy and joined Aboumoslem in the summer of 2004. After two years with F.C...
Reza Sahebi
Reza Sahebi
-Club career:He played for Payam Mashhad from 1989-1997 before joining F.C. Zob Ahan where he played from 1997-2003. In 2003 he returned to his former club Payam Mashhad. Reza Sahebi is notably known as Top goal scorer of Iranian Football League during season 2000/01 where he scored 14 goals for...
Mohammad Salsali Ebrahim Taghipour
Europe Armenak Petrosyan Levon Stepanyan
Levon Stepanyan
Levon Stepanyan was an Armenian football midfielder who played most of his career for Sepahan and previously played for Ararat Yerevan, Zob Ahan and captained Sepahan Novin. Stepanyan was capped for Armenia on one occasion in a 2-1 win against Macedonia on 6 September 1995 in Skopje.-External...
Gheorghe Stratulat
Gheorghe Stratulat
Gheorghe Stratulat, born 13 March 1976 in Moldova) is a Moldovan retired football player. He is also a former member of the Moldova national football team, making 26 appearances from 1998 to 2001.At the moment he is FIFA Licensed Players Agent.-Early life:...
Africa Issa Ndoye
Issa Ndoye
Issa Ndoye is a Senegalese football goalkeeper who most recently played for Volyn Lutsk in the Ukraine.-Club career:...
South America Igor Castro
Igor José Marigo de Castro
Igor José Marigo de Castro , commonly known as Igor or Igor Castro is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Iran Pro League side Zob Ahan.-Club career:...
Club captains
| # | Name | Nat | Career in Zob Ahan |
Captaincy | Shirt Num |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
Rasoul Korbekandi Rasoul Korbekandi Mohammad Reza Rasoul Korbekandi is a retired Iranian football player and now manager.He was a member of the Iran squad which participated at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.-Coaching career:-References:... |
 |
1969–1980 | 1970–1980 | |
| |
Mahmood Ebrahimzadeh Mahmood Ebrahimzadeh Mahmood Ebrahimzadeh is a retired Iranian footballer and now football coach. In 1980, during the Iran-Iraq War, he left Iran and went to Germany. He is now an American citizen.-Playing career:... |
 |
1976–1986 | 1980–1986 | |
| |
Rahman Rezaei Rahman Rezaei Rahman Rezaei is an Iranian football player who currently plays for Paykan in the Iran Pro League. He is also a former member of the Iran national football team and usually plays in the centre back position.-Club career:... |
|
1996–2001 | 1997–2000 | |
| |
Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi or Ostadasadli is a retired Iranian football player.He played for a few clubs, most notably Zob Ahan FC and in the final years of his career Mashin Sazi of Tabriz.... |
|
1995–2003 | 2000–2003 | |
| |
Sepehr Heidari Sepehr Heidari Sepehr Heidari is an Iranian football defender who currently plays for Mes Kerman in Iran Pro League and the Iran national football team. He has a bachelor of Mechanical engineering from Najaf Abad Azad University.-Club career:... |
|
2000–2007 | 2003–2007 | |
| |
Farshid Talebi | |
2006– | 2007–2008 | |
| |
Mohammad Reza Khalatbari Mohammad Reza Khalatbari Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari is an Iranian football player, he plays as striker for Al Gharrafa in Qatar Stars League.- Club career :Khalatbari began his career with Shamoushak just after being released by Esteghlal's youth academy and joined Aboumoslem in the summer of 2004. After two years with F.C... |
|
2006–2011 | 2008–2011 | |
| |
Mohammad Salsali | |
2001–2004 2005– |
2011– | |
IPL managers
Only IPLIran's Premier Football League
The Iran Pro League , is a professional football league competition for clubs located at the highest level of the Iranian football league system.The league system resembles the system being used in England currently...
matches are counted.
Last updated 22 November 2011.
| Name | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Final Position | |||||
| Nasser Hejazi Nasser Hejazi Nasser Hejazi nicknamed "Ostureh" ; was an Iranian football player and coach who most notably played for Esteghlal Tehran.... |
|
July 2001 | December 2001 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3rd (until week 20) | |
| Bahram Atef Bahram Atef Bahram Atef is an Iranian football manager and academic. He coached Zob Ahan and Esteghlal Ahvaz. He is current technical manager of Zob Ahan.- External links :... |
|
December 2001 | July 2002 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6th | |
| Samvel Darbinyan Samvel Darbinyan Samvel Darbinyan is an Armenian football coach who is currently the assistant manager of Saipa Shomal football club in Iran.-References:... |
 |
July 2002 | June 2004 | 52 | 21 | 11 | 20 | (02-03) 8th (03-04) 4th | |
| Rasoul Korbekandi Rasoul Korbekandi Mohammad Reza Rasoul Korbekandi is a retired Iranian football player and now manager.He was a member of the Iran squad which participated at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.-Coaching career:-References:... |
|
June 2004 | June 2007 | 90 | 39 | 26 | 25 | (04-05) 2nd (05-06) 6th (06-07) 8th | |
| Zoran Đorđević |  |
June 2007 | October 2007 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 17th (until week 10) | |
| Bijan Zolfagharnasab Bijan Zolfagharnasab Bijan Zolfagharnasab is a retired Iranian football player and currently a football manager.He started his professional career with Pas Tehran, before changing to Persepolis F.C. in 1974. There he could win the Iranian championship in 1976 and reach runner-up position in 1975, in 1977 and in 1978... |
|
October 2007 | May 2008 | 24 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 6th | |
| Mansour Ebrahimzadeh Mansour Ebrahimzadeh Mansour Ebrahimzadeh is an Iranian retired football player and current coach. He is currently managing Zob Ahan in Iran Pro League. He was caretaker manager of Iran national football team from January to March 2008.-Early lfe:... |
|
May 2008 | Present | 116 | 57 | 38 | 21 | (08-09) 2nd, (09-10) 2nd (10–11) 3rd |
|
Current Coaching Staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Mansour Ebrahimzadeh Mansour Ebrahimzadeh Mansour Ebrahimzadeh is an Iranian retired football player and current coach. He is currently managing Zob Ahan in Iran Pro League. He was caretaker manager of Iran national football team from January to March 2008.-Early lfe:... |
| First Team Coach |  Hans-Jürgen GedeHans-Jürgen Gede Hans-Jürgen Gede is a German football coach and former player.-Playing career:He was born on 14 November 1956 in Gelsenkirchen, West Germany. He began playing football in FC Schalke 04 in 1975. In 1977, he joined to SC Preußen Münster and after playing 71 times for club, he left Preußen and joined... |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Tomislav Savic |
| Fitness Coach |  Robberto Sakashvi |
| Technical Manager | Bahram Atef Bahram Atef Bahram Atef is an Iranian football manager and academic. He coached Zob Ahan and Esteghlal Ahvaz. He is current technical manager of Zob Ahan.- External links :... |
| Physiotherapist | Abbas Moradi |
| Doctor | Dr. Amir Hossein Sharifianpour |
| Logistics | Mahmoud Mehruyan |
| Team Director | Ali Shojaei Ali Shojaei -International career:He played for the Iran national football team and participated at the 1978 FIFA World Cup as a member of the squad.-References:**... |
Chairpersons
| Chairperson | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Mohammad Mehdi Taghizadeh |
|
| Mostafa Ghanei |
|
| Asghar Nilchian |
|
| Fazollah Omranian |
|
| Heydar Taheri |
|
| Nematollah Zargar |
|
| Alireza Shogi |
|
| Saeed Azari Saeed Azari Saeed Azari is an Iranian football administrator, who was chairman of the Zob Ahan FC from 2004 until his resignation in 2009. He was elected as chairman of Steel Azin in May 2011.-References:... |
|
| Asghar Dalili |
|
| Mohammad Asghari Mohammad Asghari Mohammad Ali Asghari is an Iranian football administrator, who is the current caretaker chairman of the Zob Ahan FC since 23 August 2011. He was vice chairman of the club from 2009 to 2011.-References:... |
Season-by-season
The table below chronicles the achievements of Zob Ahan since 1973.| Season | League | Position | Hazfi Cup Hazfi Cup The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion.... |
Asian Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973–74 Takht Jamshid Cup 1973-74 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... |
Takht Jamshid Cup Takht Jamshid Cup The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league... |
10th | Not held | Did not qualify |
| 1974–75 Takht Jamshid Cup 1974-75 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... |
Takht Jamshid Cup Takht Jamshid Cup The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league... |
11th | Not held | |
| 1975–76 Takht Jamshid Cup 1975-76 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... |
Takht Jamshid Cup Takht Jamshid Cup The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league... |
9th | 1/8 Final | |
| 1976–77 Takht Jamshid Cup 1976-77 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... |
Takht Jamshid Cup Takht Jamshid Cup The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league... |
15th | 1/16 Final | |
| 1977–78 Takht Jamshid Cup 1977-78 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... |
Takht Jamshid Cup Takht Jamshid Cup The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league... |
8th | Not held | |
| 1978–79 | Takht Jamshid Cup Takht Jamshid Cup The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league... |
did not finish | Not held | |
| 1979–93 | N/A | |||
| 1993–94 Azadegan League 1993-94 ----* Iranian Football Champions: Saipa* Relegated teams : _* Promoted teams :Esteghlal, Machine Sazi, Shahdari Sari, Naft Ghaemshahr, Bank Tejarat, Payam Gach Khorasan, Pars Khodro, Ararat, Qods Sari, Shahin Bushehr... |
Azadegan League | 4th | 1/8 Final | |
| 1994–95 Azadegan League 1994-95 -First Round:Group AGroup B*Semi-Final1)2)- Final :-Notes:* Azadegan League champions : Saipa F.C.* Relegated teams : Shahin Bushehr , Qods Sari , Nassaji Mazandaran , Teraktor Sazi , Zob Ahan, Sanat Naft, Pars Khodro , Payam Gach Khorasan, Bank Tejarat, Chooka Talesh, Naft... |
Azadegan League | 8th* | 1/16 Final | |
| 1995–96 | 2nd Division Iran Football's 2nd Division Iranian football's 2nd division is the third-highest football division overall in the Iranian football league system.Before 2001, the 2nd division was known as the 3rd division, but this was changed when Iran's football structure officially became professional.The league consists of two, fourteen... |
1st** | 1/8 Final | |
| 1996–97 | Azadegan League | 10th | 1/8 Final | |
| 1997–98 | Azadegan League | 3rd | Not held | |
| 1998–99 | Azadegan League | 12th | Third Round | |
| 1999–2000 | Azadegan League | 5th | First Round | |
| 2000–01 | Azadegan League | 4th | Final | |
| 2001–02 IPL 2001/02 The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2001–02 football season. This was the first season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Persepolis F.C... |
Iran Pro League | 6th | Quarterfinal | |
| 2002–03 IPL 2002/03 The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2002/03 football season. This season will be the 2nd season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan F.C... |
Iran Pro League | 8th | Cup | |
| 2003–04 IPL 2003/04 The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2003/04 football season. This season will be the 3rd season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Pas Tehran F.C... |
Iran Pro League | 4th | Semifinal | First Round |
| 2004–05 IPL 2004/05 The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2004/05 football season. This season will be the 4th season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Foolad Khuzestan F.C... |
Iran Pro League | 2nd | 1/8 Final | Did not qualify |
| 2005–06 IPL 2005/06 The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2005/06 football season. This season will be the 5th season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Esteghlal F.C. were defending champions.-Final classification:... |
Iran Pro League | 6th | 1/8 Final | |
| 2006–07 IPL 2006/07 The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2006/07 football season. This season was the 6th season since the establishment of the Iranian Premier League... |
Iran Pro League | 8th | 1/16 Final | |
| 2007–08 | Iran Pro League | 6th | 1/16 Final | |
| 2008–09 | Iran Pro League | 2nd | Cup | |
| 2009–10 | Iran Pro League | 2nd | Semifinal | Runner-up |
| 2010–11 | Iran Pro League | 3rd | 1/16 Final | Quarter-Final |
| 2011–12 | Iran Pro League | 1/8 Final |
* Relegated.
** Promoted.
Domestic
- Iran Pro League
- Runners-Up (3): 2004–05, 2008–2009Persian Gulf Cup 2008-09The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2008/09 football season. This season will be the 8th season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Persepolis are the defending champions.-Teams:...
, 2009–10- Iran 2nd Division:
- Winners (1): 1995–96
- Hazfi CupHazfi CupThe Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
:
- Winners (2): 2002–03, 2008–09
- Runners-Up (1): 2000–01
Continental
- AFC Champions LeagueAFC Champions LeagueThe AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
- Runners-Up (1): 2010
- Quarter-Finalist (1): 20112011 AFC Champions LeagueThe 2011 AFC Champions League was the 30th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 9th under the current AFC Champions League title...
Ownership
The owner of the Zob Ahan FC is Isfahan Steel CompanyEsfahan Steel Company
Esfahan Steel Company is the first Iranian steel maker opened in late 1960s, based close to the cities of Fooladshahr and Zarrinshahr, Esfahan Province....
. Company is the first Iranian steel maker opened in late 1960, based close to the cities of Fooladshahr and Zarrinshahr
Zarrinshahr
Zarrin Shahr is a city in and the capital of Lenjan County, Isfahan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 55,984, in 15,154 families. It is located in southwest of Isfahan.-Name:...
, Isfahan Province.
Zob Ahan-e Esfahan and Iran's first car manufacturer, Iran National (renamed Iran Khodro after the Iranian revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
) were parts of a significant move from mainly agriculture-based economy toward industrialization by the pre-revolutionary government of Amir Abbas Hoveida
Amir Abbas Hoveida
Amir-Abbas Hoveyda, was an Iranian economist and politician who served as Prime Minister of Iran from January 27, 1965 to August 7, 1977. He was prime minister for 13 years and is the longest serving prime minister in Iran's history. He also served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance...
.