Celebrated South African coach Pitso Mosimane started his career at Esteghlal FC with a 3-1 loss against Kheybar Khorramabad in the Persian Gulf Pro League game staged at the Takhti Stadium on Saturday.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach had been given the mandate to lead Blue Boys of Tehran after a poor start to the 2024/25 season.
Mosimane and his team conceded it was not going to be an easy task, but they accepted the challenge.
Ghanbari, Mohebi, and Choghaei hand Pitso first loss
The hosts, who had collected just six points from their initial eight games, needed just 10 minutes to get their first goal courtesy of Mehrdad Ghanbari.
In the 55th minute, Esteghlal got themselves back into the game thanks to Ramin Rezaeian's well-taken strike.
However, four minutes later, the Blue Boys of Tehran conceded another goal, this time around from Masoud Mohebi.
Kheybar Khorramabad's third goal was scored in the fourth minute of added time by Mohsen Sefid Choghaei.
Mosimane needs to bounce back quickly
This weekend's defeat was the fourth in general for the two-time AFC Champions League winners in domestic top-flight football in the eight games played so far.
They have two wins and as many draws which currently puts them in the 12th position on the table with eight points, nine less than leaders Persepolis who has played a game less.
Mosimane is under massive pressure to turn the fortunes around. He will have another shot on Wednesday, October 30 against Tractor who are sixth on the table having won four games, managed a draw and two losses.
