Title: Pressure Mounts at Persepolis: Hashemian’s Crucial Test
A Weekend of Relief for Rivals
The seventh week of the Persian Gulf Pro League brought a much-needed respite for two of Iran’s top football clubs. Esteghlal and Sepahan, both pre-season title contenders, finally broke their winless streaks, bringing smiles back to their fans.
Esteghlal secured a home victory against Mes Rafsanjan, tasting victory for the first time in nearly two months. This crucial win propelled them to 10 points and, for the first time this season, into second place in the league table. Not to be outdone, Sepahan managed an away win against Esteghlal Khuzestan. This second victory of the season, earning them their ninth point, provided a vital escape from their own period of crisis.
Coaches Survive the Storm
The pressure had been mounting for both Esteghlal’s Ricardo Sá Pinto and Sepahan’s Moharram Navidkia. Reports indicated that club management had issued ultimatums, demanding a turnaround in their teams’ technical performance. Navidkia had previously promised fans that his team would improve from the sixth week onward, and this victory delivered on that pledge. Similarly, Sá Pinto’s declaration that Esteghlal would “fight for the championship from the seventh week” was backed by a commendable performance. For now, both managers have navigated away from immediate danger.
The Spotlight Turns to Persepolis
However, this wave of relief for their direct rivals has intensified the pressure at Persepolis. The Reds, another major club mired in a slump, are now the central focus of the league’s crisis narrative. With only one win and five draws from their first six matches, fan discontent has been growing, leading to public protests against head coach Vahid Hashemian.
Hashemian had previously staked his reputation on an improved performance following the FIFA international break, promising victories were on the horizon. The failure to deliver on that promise was already a significant burden. Now, with both Esteghlal and Sepahan having successfully emerged from their own troubles, the demand for a win at Persepolis has become absolutely critical. The club’s upcoming away match against Kheybar is no longer just another fixture; it is a decisive test for the embattled coach, with his future at the helm hanging in the balance.