Ghalenoei returned to Esteghlal in May 2008 after two seasons. Esteghlal saw a bad season in the last year after ending 13th with the management of Nasser Hejazi and Firouz Karimi. Ghalenoei led the team in the remaining matches of Hazfi Cup which Esteghlal won the trophy after defeating Pegah Gilan in the final. Esteghlal won the league at the final day after defeating Payam Mashhad and Zob Ahan lose to Foolad. Arash Borhani was also the team and league's top scorer. Esteghlal have a bad starting in AFC Champions League, eliminating in the group stage. At the end of the tournament, Ghalenoei resigned from his post after did not agree with a new contract with club chairman.