A star for the club during his glittering playing career, Majidi’s appointment comes after former Inter Milan and Udinese manager Andrea Stramaccioni stepped down from the top job on December 9.

The door had seemingly been left ajar for Stramaccioni to return to the role, but Esteghlal confirmed the Italian’s departure was permanent last week, with Majidi subsequently signing a one-and-a-half-year deal with the two-time Asian champions.

Majidi takes the job on a full-time basis having briefly held the reins at Esteghlal on a caretaker basis after the departure of German boss Winfried Schaefer last April.

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, who defeated Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan to lift the 2019 title after runners-up finishes in 2014 and 2017, will have Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE), Pakhtakor (UZB) and the winner of a play-off for company.

The star-studded club took the lead off an own goal by Kashima defender Tomoya Inukai in the 18th minute, then doubled the advantage when the ball ricocheted into the net off striker Noriaki Fujimoto 20 minutes later.

Ten fantastic goals were nominated that spanned the Continent from Uzbekistan to Urawa, but it was Persepolis' defender Khalilzadeh whose amazing acrobatics that captured the attention and favour of Asia's football fans.

The Iranian had previously won Goal of the Week for Matchday Three and Goal of the Group Stage, and so completes his hat-trick with the overall best goal of the 2019 AFC Champions League.

The Tashkent-based club’s record-extending 12th domestic title comes following 12 consecutive league wins and secures direct qualification for the group stage of the 2020 AFC Champions League.

The runaway success also ends the championship streak of city rivals PFC Lokomotiv, who won three successive titles from 2016 to 2018.

From fabulous goals to mature performances and even a record-breaking feat, the next generation of stars was a welcome addition to the tournament. The-AFC.com has selected six of the best, who we can look forward to seeing much more of in the future.

Ten-men Yokohama defeated eventual runners-up FC Tokyo 3-0 before a sell-out crowd of 64,000 at the Nissan Stadium to clinch their fourth J.League crown.

The win assures Yokohama - who finished on 70 points - a place in the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage.