According to Tasnim news agency, he told Alkas Qatar channel: I think being the head coach of Iran’s national football team has more work pressure than being the head coach of Brazil and it is a very difficult job. You know that football has developed a lot in Asia.
The head coach of the national team added: The last championship we won was 48 years ago. At that time, our competitors were not so advanced. We have very good competitors in this period, they have improved a lot in terms of infrastructure; But we had a little setback in this discussion.
He said about his 2 working periods with the Iranian national football team: I was elected as the head coach of the national team twice, and the first time the conditions were very difficult. The Iranian Federation had its own conditions, and then football was suspended and a transitional group came. There was a conflict among the members of the transition group of the Football Federation. Even now, we have problems due to a number of issues.
*Management conditions and the Iranian Football Federation
Regarding the recent situation of the Iranian Football Federation, Ghalenoui continued: With the good communication we have between the federation, colleagues and players, we were able to create a very good team cohesion in these 6 months, including management, staff, technical and players, and fortunately, the group is very happy with this process. Is.
* Championship contenders in the Nations Cup
Referring to the rivals of the Iranian national football team in the Asian Nations Cup and the contenders for the title, he said: We respect all our rivals and consider all our rivals to be tough. We play with all our strength and motivation. Naturally, two or three teams have more chances to win the championship. Japan is one of the contenders, and I think it is separated from Asian sports. Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Australia, and Qatar are also there, and we must respect all competitors and consider every opponent, including Palestine, Hong Kong, and the UAE, to be tough.
* Qatar is one of the best hosts in the world
Referring to the hosting of Qatar, the head coach of the national team said: “Qatar is doing this well.” Once I visited the hotel where we are staying, the training place and the stadiums where we are going to play. Since the year I played, Qatar is the third Asian Nations Cup to host the tournament. He has held a World Cup and, if I am not mistaken, an Asian Games. These show that Qatar is among the best hosts in Asia, if not in the world. He plans and manages in a good way, which is worthy of thanks.
* How to host the future World Cup
Criticizing the way of hosting the 2026 World Cup, Qalanoui stated: The World Cup in Qatar may not happen again. As an Asian, I have to thank the authorities of Qatar for organizing this World Cup in a good way. In the FIFA meeting, I criticized Arsene Wenger and said that in the World Cup, where 4 matches are held in one day, why did you move the matches to one continent (referring to the hosting of several countries). This will have a negative impact on the quality of future World Cup matches.
* This Cup of Nations will be the best Cup of Nations
Regarding the quality of holding the Nations Cup in Qatar, he said: In my opinion, this Nations Cup will be the best because of the headquarters teams, infrastructure and the progress that has been made in Asia. Good grass fields, good hotels and the planning they have in the Nations Cup will make us witness the best period of the Nations Cup, just like the World Cup in Qatar, which was the best.
I have memories of Khalifa Stadium. Because the year I played in Qatar, we won two trophies. One of them is called Kas Amir. At that time, the final was at Khalifa Stadium, where we won the championship. We played a few games in the World Cup qualifiers. In the game against Japan, I gave an assist and Mr. Hassanzadeh converted it into a goal, and we won with a score of 2-1, and my daughter was born on the same day. I have two good memories from Qatar; God willing, my third favorite memory will be the Nations Cup, which will be completed.