Homayoun Shahrokhi regarding the latest conditions of our national football team after the FIFA Day in Mehr and the team's strategies for the future stated: "If there was to be a change in our national football team, it should have happened immediately after the World Cup. In the whole world, if a federation is not satisfied with the performance of the coaching staff, it immediately changes that coach."
Shahrokhi's Concerns for National Football
He continued with concern about the national team's situation saying: "I am not sensitive about any individual and believe that anyone who has served football and sports in the country should be appreciated. But my heart aches for the people because they have one joy, and that is football. It is better to make the right decisions for the country's football and not leave everything to the 90th minute."
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The Necessity of Youth Development in the National Team
Shahrokhi in response to the question of whether he agrees that players like Ehsan Haji Safi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, and Alireza Beiranvand should be removed from the national team said: "The people want the same. I do not mention anyone's name and have no problem with anyone, but 10 players from this national team should say goodbye. There is a difference between a player leaving the national team on their own or being guided towards leaving. For example, Ronaldo was suddenly removed, but Messi said goodbye to his national team himself. Which was more beautiful?"
Shahrokhi further added: "Sports have a normal age, a championship age, and a retirement age. Those who say age is just a number are running away from reality. The national team's coaching staff should have changed the team immediately after the World Cup to test new players in the two preceding matches."
Criticism of Football Federation Management
He also criticized the members of the Football Federation's board and said: "You tell me who the members of the Football Federation's board are? Does anyone know them? A team that wants to succeed in the Asian Cup must have a training camp, a regular program, and good friendly matches. These words are the result of my 60 years of experience in football. Which of these do we have?"
Shahrokhi concluded: "If this board knew what it was doing, it would have even changed the coaching staff after the World Cup and communicated its demands to the new coach. A young player must make enough mistakes to reach their best form. Can you send a young player to a tournament like the Asian Cup with just two friendly matches and ask their coach to reach the final?"
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