 However, he left the team before the season started and joined Esteghlal Ahvaz in the 5th week of the 2002–03 league.He was appointed as head coach of Esteghlal Ahvaz in the Iran Pro League in November 2002 to keep the club in the league.Esteghlal Ahvaz was in a winless row and was the very last team in the league table when Ghalenoei joined the team.