Title: Osmar Vieira Faces Key Roster Decisions as Persepolis Enters Critical Phase
A New Era Under Vieira
Osmar Vieira has officially returned to Persepolis, assuming the head coach role and succeeding Vahid Hashemian. His official debut on the Reds’ bench occurred in the 10th week of the season, marking a point where a third of the new campaign had already concluded. With Persepolis absent from Asian competitions, the team is set to focus on its remaining 20 matches in the Persian Gulf Pro League and its commitments in the Hazfi Cup.
The Upcoming Challenge: A Tight Schedule
After observing the Tractor-Persepolis match from the stands, Vieira is now leveraging his growing familiarity with the team’s dynamics to shape his ideal squad. A significant challenge lies ahead: before the winter transfer window opens, the Reds face five league matches and, barring any postponements, one Hazfi Cup fixture. This “1+5” match stretch presents the Brazilian coach with a difficult task—finalizing his core players and, conversely, determining who will be placed on the surplus list.
Evaluating Talent in Crucial Matches
While early-season form and limited playing time for some players have already sparked speculation about potential winter departures, reports suggest Coach Vieira intends to use these upcoming competitive fixtures as the ultimate test. His goal is to assess the squad under match conditions before finalizing his surplus list.
Young Signings Under Scrutiny
The spotlight falls on two young talents, Mohammad Hossein Sadeghi and Mojtaba Fakhrian, who joined Persepolis as promising prospects during the summer transfer window. Sadeghi was a preferred signing of former coach Ismail Kartal, while Fakhrian’s acquisition was reportedly pushed by the club’s management at the time. So far this season, Sadeghi has played just 94 minutes across four matches, and Fakhrian has seen a mere six minutes of action. Their limited roles position them as the most likely candidates to exit the club.
A Veteran’s Uncertain Future
Yasin Salmani, who made a late appearance in the recent match against Esteghlal Khuzestan, is also under consideration. Having been one of Persepolis’s higher-profile signings in recent years, his time at the club has been marked by limited impact. Over the last three seasons, Salmani has made only 21 total appearances for the Reds, with his cumulative playing time failing to reach 600 minutes. Whispers of his inclusion on the winter surplus list have already begun.
A Defining Period Ahead
With only 16 days in charge, Coach Vieira’s timeframe for such critical decisions is undeniably short. However, the forthcoming matches against Tractor, Shams Azar Qazvin, Esteghlal, Paykan, Aluminium Arak, and Mes Rafsanjan are poised to be decisive. This period will be instrumental in helping the Brazilian manager refine his squad, create space for potential new signings—particularly in the attacking department—and ultimately solidify the list of players deemed surplus to requirements.
Source: Football360