Riyad Mazhar Warns Against Random Contracts with Foreign Coaches in the Iraqi League

Sports analyst Riyad Mazhar has warned against rushing into contracts with foreign coaches in the Iraqi Stars League for the 2025-2026 season, emphasizing that any decision of this kind must be carefully considered, and it is not enough for the name to be eye-catching or famous to change the reality of the teams within the tournament.

Mazhar stated in a comment during the Extra Time program: "Contracting with a foreign coach requires comprehensive study. It is not enough for the name to be well-known or to have a reputation abroad, because the reality within the Iraqi league is completely different, and there are many factors that affect the success or failure of the coach, such as the nature of the players, club management, and financial and technical conditions."

He added: "Sometimes a foreign coach comes and finds an environment that does not help him to work, and thus he will not achieve the desired results, which could negatively reflect on the team and the tournament as a whole. Therefore, clubs must be cautious and choose their coach in accordance with the requirements of the league and local conditions."

Mazhar continued: "We have previous examples in the league where big names changed, but the performance did not improve, because the matter is related to organization and technical stability within the team, and not just the shiny name on paper."

The analyst confirmed that the success of any team depends on the balance between foreign experience and local management, pointing out that choosing the right coach must take into account the ability to deal with Iraqi players, understanding the nature of the league, and setting clear plans to achieve continuous victories rather than just temporarily improving performance.

He concluded his remarks by saying: "Iraqi league clubs need a clear strategy when contracting with any foreign coach, to ensure that investments are in the right place, and that results are tangible on the field, not just a big name on paper."