Notes – Afshin Ghotbi

November 6, 2025

World Cup 2026: A Global Celebration, Human Spirit Will Overcome the Elements Again!

The Great Sporting event on the planet is just around the corner, seven months to be exact. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark a new chapter in football history 48 nations, 104 matches, and three host countries across North America. It promises to be the biggest World Cup ever …

Afshin's Notes

November 6, 2025

From Pasadena to the Podium: The Making of Peter Vagenas

Some players are born into the game, others are built through it. Peter Vagenas is both. His journey from the youth fields of Pasadena to leading the United States at the 2000 Olympic Games, and later guiding the LA Galaxy to a historic double, stands as one of American football’s …

Football Notes

November 21, 2023

Afshin Ghotbi – Interview with the-afc.com : The Azadi is the Colosseum of Asia

Tehran: Former Persepolis manager Afshin Ghotbi knows just what it feels like to savour glory at the Azadi Stadium, where the 2018 AFC Champions League final between the Islamic Republic of Iran giant and Kashima Antlers of Japan will be decided on Saturday. Ghotbi also spent three-and-a-half years coaching in …

Afshin's Notes

July 23, 2023

Soccer Made in Germany, Local Coaches in a Global League

I still can remember staying awake through the night in the early 70’s to watch Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Monchengladbach on my small black and white television set. One hand on the antenna to keep the picture clear and both eyes glued to screen to watch every action. Franz Beckenbauer’s …

Afshin's Notes

January 28, 2022

Good-Bye Shizuoka!

Three and half year has come to an abrupt end. I feel an enormous pain to part with my staff, players, and supporters who I considered family. I poured my heart and soul, blood and sweat into the Shimizu S-Pulse. The results did not always illustrate the progress we made, …

Football Notes

July 26, 2021

Modern Management Methodolog In my last piece

Written by Santos Rivas In my last piece, I wrote about my visit to Shimizu S-Pulse, in 2011, Afshin Ghotbi’s first season at the helm of the club. Last week, I had another rare privilege to visit with Afshin and learn from him, only this time, at the conclusion of …

Football Notes

July 3, 2021

Afshin Ghotbi In Interview With footballchannel.jp

“Persepolis is one of the most popular, maybe the most popular, clubs in Asia because they have 30 million followers.” “If you are a player or a coach with Persepolis and you travel anywhere in the world you will meet an Iranian person somewhere in some street that will recognise …

Afshin's Notes

September 13, 2020

I will be back!

Football has a funny way of steering us to unknown directions and destinations. One moment you are in the full stadium with cheering fans, and the next the lights and sounds of the stadium are a distant memory. One moment the pressure of getting results push stress levels above and …

Football Notes

January 11, 2017

Ghotbi deals with Japan quake

Afshin Ghotbi’s place in the history of South Korean soccer folklore is assured; he was, after all, a member of the national team’s coaching staff at the 2002 World Cup, the first of three stints with the Taeguk Warriors. He would argue that there is much more to come in …

Football Notes

December 29, 2016

the-afc.com, Asia’s World Cup Heroes: Expert verdict and results!

the-afc.com, FIFA World Cup / Article Kuala Lumpur: Two weeks ago, the-AFC.com profiled five Asian FIFA World Cup heroes from over the years and asked the fans to vote for their favourite. Now, it’s the turn of our experts panel. Given the choice of Sami Al Jaber, Alireza Beiranvand, Tim …

Afshin's Notes

September 26, 2016

Lasting Impression

I have seen much in my career working across the globe, but my short experience with the people and players of Curacao will leave a lasting impression in my memories. Words will never describe accurately the love and the feeling amongst the players. The sounds and sights of my experience …

Football Notes

April 11, 2016

Tehran Times-I am proud of my Iranian origin: Afshin Ghotbi

TEHRAN – Ex-Iran and Persepolis football teams head coach Afshin Ghotbi says he is proud of his Persian origin, his history and his past. Tehran Times The 54-year-old coach led Iranian giants Persepolis to win the domestic title, however, Ghotbi believes it’s not his biggest achievement in football. Finishing fourth …