Maasmechelen (Eurotoday Newspaper) – Iranian refugee and Patro Ladies coach Star Habibzadeh leads the club to 1st division and secures a landmark transfer to Club Brugge in Maasmechelen.
Although she will serve as assistant coach for the time being, her ultimate goal is to become head coach.
Ten years ago, Habibzadeh left Iran to pursue her ambition of coaching football. At Patro, she was successful in starting women’s football.
Ten years ago, 35-year-old Ster Habibzadeh left Iran to follow her goal of coaching football. She had no family or friends when she got to the Netherlands. She became a coach at Patro after coaching a local football team there.
“I started as a trainer at a local football club in Heerlen, then I became a coach of the youth team at Patro Eisden. Then I was asked if I wanted to start a women’s team there. That wasn’t easy, because there were no female players at Patro, so I had to start from scratch.”
Habibzadeh started Patro Ladies from her love of football, and it was a success. Next season, the Ladies will compete in the first national division of women’s football after being promoted.
“We have now won the championship twice in a row, which makes me very proud. It was a special season that I will not soon forget. I am a very proud head coach.”
It’s time for Habibzadeh to move on in her profession after serving as head coach of Patro Ladies for two years. Her new home will be at Club Brugge. She will serve as assistant coach there for the time being, but eventually, she hopes to advance to head coach.
“I was very surprised that they chose me, because there were still candidates. But I had very good conversations with the head coach. Those conversations showed that my ambition and vision of football fit in well with Club Brugge.”
“Patro is my baby, but this transfer really feels like a dream. I can’t let this opportunity pass me by and I want to grab it with both hands. My future lies with Club Brugge.”
Although Habibzadeh is doing well, her thoughts are currently with her family in Iran. The violence in the region worries her.
She still has regular contact with them, they are very proud of her. Especially because you get many more opportunities as a woman here in Belgium. But of course it remains my country and the violence affects me enormously.
What challenges did Habibzadeh face fleeing Iran to pursue her coaching career?
Social, cultural, and legal hurdles make it very difficult for women in Iran to pursue a profession as football coaches. Women frequently have less access to professional growth and athletic opportunities.
Habibzadeh, like many migrants, probably had to make a risky escape by using smuggling routes across several nations. Iranian asylum seekers’ testimonies detail long, taxing hikes over challenging landscapes, like mountains and deserts, frequently with no access to food, water, or shelter, and frequently under danger of violence or imprisonment.
After escaping, asylum seekers must deal with precarious living circumstances, including confinement,
Comments
4 responses to “From Patro to Club Brugge: Habibzadeh’s Landmark Transfer”
-
Imagine going from coaching a women’s team with zero players to assistant coach at Club Brugge – talk about a glow-up! 🤣 Who needs a fairy godmother when you’ve got ambition and a knack for football, eh?
-
Can’t believe they let her go from Patro to Club Brugge – must’ve really twisted someone’s arm at the boardroom table! 😏 Next stop: UEFA, perhaps?
-
Blimey, from coaching a bunch of no-names at Patro to rubbing shoulders with the big wigs at Club Brugge – who knew a woman could pull off such a transfer? Must be that magic touch, or maybe they just needed someone to finally teach them how to play proper football! 😂⚽️
-
Club Brugge must be over the moon to land a coach who started a women’s team from scratch—next stop, the Champions League, right? 🎉 Who knew that moving from Patro to Brugge was the new shortcut to fame and fortune? 😂
Last News
How Cross-Border Healthcare Operates in Europe
This confusion is significant because the rules aren’t just medical;
Gasoline Shortage in Russia Worsens Amid Ukrainian Attacks on Fuel Supply
Moscow, Russia, June 29, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Russia gasoline shortage concerns intensified after Ukrainian drone attacks disrupted operations at several oil facilities, affecting fuel supplies in additional regions. The strikes have increased pressure on Russia’s domestic fuel distribution system, prompting authorities to redirect supplies and accelerate repairs at damaged refineries.
Britain Introduces New Armed Forces Modeled After Ukraine
The release of the delayed DIP addresses a critical demand from allies and the U.K.’s military-industrial sector, but implementing it will largely depend on Andy Burnham, who is anticipated to become prime minister later this summer.
The plan aims to bring the U.K. closer to NATO’s new defense spending target of 3.5 percent of GDP by 2035. However, the U.K.̵
EU Advances in Combatting Invasive Alien Species, Yet Spread Persists | Press Releases
Invasive alien species—non-native plants, animals, and other organisms introduced outside their natural range causing ha
South Africa’s Anti-Migrant Policy Separates Fathers from Families
Johannesburg, June 29, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — South Africa visa rules have come under renewed scrutiny after stricter immigration enforcement forced many migrant fathers to leave the country while their families remain behind. The latest government deadline has affected foreign workers from neighboring countries whose work permits or legal documentation have expired, creating uncertainty f
Andy Burnham Declines Invitation to America’s 250th Birthday Celebration in London
The Grand American Jubilee is expected to welcome about 2,500 guests to Winfield House, the official residence of U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephens in Regent’s Park. Attendees will pass by U.S. Marines to enter the ga
Türkiye Leave with a Late Answer
Türkiye’s 3-2 victory against the United States in Los Angeles came too late to alter their World Cup path but held significant value. Having already been eliminated after narrow losses, Vincenzo Montella’s team found the determination and goals they missed earlier in Group D, while the co-hosts learned that even secured qualification doesn’t
Why Every Business Needs a Social Media Reputation Strategy Pre-Crisis
London, June 29, 2026 – Eurotoday — social media reputation is becoming a central part of business risk management as organizations prepare for the growing impact of online conversations. Industry experts say companies are investing more in reputation monitoring and crisis communication plans to respond quickly when unexpected issues arise. A proactive approach is increasingly viewed as essentia
Kemi Badenoch Tests Her Andy Burnham Attack Lines
Early efforts are underway to challenge his authority. Reform has already demanded a general election, a call that Badenoch’s poorly polling Tories are resisting. Reform insiders hope Burnham
Methane Regulations Highlight EU Energy Security
The agenda of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council is extensive, including topics like electricity grids, post-2030 energy policy, and the effects of Middle East i
Leave a Reply