Persepolis in Crisis: A Political Football of Poor Performance and Internal Pressure
A Disappointing Start for a Footballing Giant
Persepolis, one of Iran’s most storied and popular football clubs, is facing a severe crisis of form at the start of the new season. According to an analysis by former club midfielder Rahim Yousefi, the team has failed to present the powerful and commanding image expected of a top contender. The club is struggling both in terms of results and the quality of its play, leaving its vast fanbase deeply disappointed.
A Tarnished Reputation
Yousefi elaborated that the team’s current performance is not only unhelpful but is actively damaging its hard-earned reputation. “Persepolis has always been known for its attacking and eye-catching style of football,” he noted. “This season, however, the team cannot even create opportunities. The few chances they get are usually born from opponents’ mistakes or sheer luck, and even those are not being converted into goals.” He pinpointed the primary cause of this decline as a clear lack of effort from the players on the pitch.
A Squad Underperforming
The former star highlighted a significant paradox. “Aside from Tractor and Sepahan, no other team in the league has players of Persepolis’s calibre. Yet, unfortunately, our players are performing at an ordinary level, below expectations against every opponent,” Yousefi stated. He concluded that this indicates a fundamental problem with the players themselves, who appear to take the field without a clear plan or purpose.
Questions for the Technical Staff
The criticism also extended to the club’s technical leadership under Vahid Hashemian. Yousefi suggested that Hashemian’s lack of sufficient experience in the Persian Gulf Pro League has caused him to lose focus under pressure. “The system he has chosen for Persepolis does not suit the team and has not yet been properly implemented, which is a key reason for the disappointing displays,” he said. Yousefi was blunt in his assessment, stating, “With this trajectory, Vahid Hashemian will not last at Persepolis because the team is neither playing well nor getting results.”
Management and the Shadow of External Factors
The analysis also touched upon broader managerial issues at the club. Yousefi indicated that managerial debates and external circumstances have compounded the team’s on-field problems. While acknowledging that club officials are under pressure, he predicted that a change in the technical staff by mid-season is likely. He urged that any such changes must be executed with a clear plan and by bringing in a prepared individual to avoid plunging the team into further instability.
