A New Chapter for Persepolis? End of an Era as Key Staff Member Considers Departure
TEHRAN – A significant shift is underway within the technical staff of the prominent Iranian football club, Persepolis, following the appointment of Osmar Vieira as head coach. This restructuring appears to mark the end of a long-standing partnership, with one of the team’s most veteran analysts reportedly set to depart.
Veteran Analyst Bids Farewell
According to reports, Mehrdad Khanban, the experienced and long-serving analyst for Persepolis, has expressed a desire not to continue his collaboration with the club. After years of dedicated service, his departure from the “Reds” now seems almost certain. Khanban, who was previously alongside Karim Bagheri at Tractor FC, is now poised to conclude his extensive tenure with Persepolis.
A Pillar of Stability and Expertise
Khanban is regarded as one of the most enduring figures at Persepolis over the last two decades, having worked under eight different head coaches. His remarkable tenure includes collaborations with a diverse range of managers, from Afshin Ghotbi and Nelo Vingada in the early days, to Gabriel Calderón, Yahya Golmohammadi, and most recently, Osmar Vieira, Carlos Garrido, and Vahid Hashemian.
Throughout his years of service, Khanban played a crucial role in opponent analysis and the team’s technical preparations, earning praise from both domestic and international coaches for his precision and expertise.
A Crossroads for the Club
Khanban’s potential exit represents one of the most substantial changes in Persepolis’s technical structure since Vieira’s return. While the new head coach, who shares a positive professional relationship with Khanban from their previous work together, is reportedly keen for him to stay, the analyst appears ready to open a new chapter in his professional journey. The final outcome of this situation remains a key point of interest as the club navigates this period of transition.