Phenomenological Analysis of the Key Factors in Foreign Player Recruitment in Iranian Professional Football Clubs

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

2 Professor of Sport Management Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran

10.22098/rsmm.2025.16257.1433

Abstract

Purpose: Player recruitment significantly impacts a football team's performance and general success. Due to the economic context, this aspect of management has grown in importance to be a delicate process for football clubs in Iran, especially in the case of signing foreign players. This study aims to identify the key factors in the process of foreign player recruitment in Iranian professional football clubs to mitigate the potential risks and enhance the odds of success.
Methods: The present study is qualitative in nature, and the applied methodology is Phenomenological Analysis. The statistical population for this research consists of 7 experts who have held positions in coaching or administrative capacities within Iranian professional football clubs. Semi-constructed interviews were used as a collection tool. Concepts of credibility, confirmability, and transferability were also incorporated to verify validity.
Results: The results indicate that the factors professional football clubs need to consider in foreign player recruitment consist of 8 main themes and 27 sub-themes, divided into two club-related and player-related categories. The club-related themes include strategic factors and coaching factors. The player-related themes include physical, technical, contractual, psychological, statistical, and social factors.
Conclusion: The relevant managers' consideration of these factors in the recruitment process, aids the clubs through assessment of the process from a comprehensive and multifaceted perspective to mitigate the risks and increase the likelihood of improving the sporting and financial performance of the club.

Keywords

Research in Sport Management and Marketing

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 June 2025

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