If there is someone who knows the pressure of foreigners needing to deliver in the Middle East, it's Lerato Manzini, who has given the Siya crew insight into what Pitso Mosimane can expect as head coach of Esteghlal.
Manzini did not play in Iran, but is familiar with playing football in the Levant, having played his football last season in Iraq for Al-Qasim, the neighbouring country of Iran.
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Mosimane's first match in charge of Esteghlal ended in a 1-0 defeat to Kheybar and he will now have the big challenge of leading the club back to winning ways. Manzini revealed to the Siya crew that he is familiar with the Iranian club Mosimane is currently coaching and spoke about how much pressure comes with working for clubs in that part of the world.
"I know the club Pitso is coaching. It's in the capital city there in Iran (Tehran). When I was playing in Iraq, there was a time during pre-season when they came to Iraq to play a two-day tournament. My teammates were telling me that it's a big team in Iran. They have a big fan base. I think Iran is far better than Iraq in terms of infrastructure and so on. Football is much more advanced in Iran compared to Iraq," Manzini said.
"The pressure is going to be high because you must understand one thing there; they support and if results are not coming, they are not patient, especially if the coach is not one of their own. It's going to be difficult for him, but knowing coach Pitso and his work ethic, I think he can succeed. But I know the people that side are not patient," Manzini said to the Siya crew.
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"As a foreigner, there is so much more pressure. They are too sensitive and they love their clubs too much. Coach Pitso is respected that side and we will see how things go."
By Tshepang Mailwane
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