Perse Reborn: Osmar’s Squad Overhaul Sees Three Stars on the Brink of Exit
A New Era Under Osmar
With the official return of Osmar Vieira to the helm of Persepolis, succeeding Vahid Hashemian, a new chapter begins for the red giants. His first official match in charge, occurring in the 10th week of the season, marks a pivotal moment as the team navigates the remainder of the domestic league and cup competitions. The Brazilian coach is now tasked with molding the squad to fit his strategic vision, a process that is set to accelerate in the coming weeks.
The Crucial Evaluation Period
Persepolis faces a critical juncture with five upcoming league matches and a potential cup game before the winter transfer window opens. This “5+1” match stretch provides Coach Osmar with a vital opportunity to assess his players in competitive conditions. His primary challenge is to finalize a list of surplus players, a necessary step to facilitate the squad’s evolution and make room for new signings aligned with his project. While speculation is rife, the coach is expected to use these matches as the ultimate test before making his final decisions.
Players in the Exit Spotlight
The focus of the impending squad reshuffle has fallen on three individuals, whose limited contributions this season place them at the top of the potential exit list.
Mohammad Hossein Sadeghi and Mojtaba Fakhrian: Arriving in the summer as two of the club’s most promising talents, their time on the pitch has been minimal. Sadeghi, a specific target of the previous manager, has played only 94 minutes across four matches. Fakhrian, whose signing was pushed by the former club management, has seen a mere six minutes of action. Their lack of involvement makes them the most probable candidates for a winter departure.
Yasin Salmani: A high-profile signing in recent years, Salmani’s tenure at Persepolis has failed to meet expectations. His recent appearance against Esteghlal Khuzestan, where he entered the game in the final minutes, underscores his peripheral role. Over the last three seasons, he has accumulated a surprisingly low total of just 21 appearances, with his cumulative playing time failing to even reach 600 minutes, signaling a likely end to his time with the club.
The Road Ahead
Coach Osmar has been in his role for only 16 days, a short period for any manager to make definitive judgments. However, the upcoming decisive matches against teams like Tractor, Shams Azar Qazvin, Esteghlal, Paykan, Aluminium Arak, and Mes Rafsanjan will be instrumental. These games will provide the clarity needed to finalize the surplus list and create the necessary space for targeted acquisitions, particularly in the attacking third, as Persepolis builds a renewed and competitive squad for the challenges ahead.