Title: Persepolis Ownership Delivers Firm Ultimatum to Club Management Amidst Stuttering Season
Tehran – The principal owner of Persepolis Football Club, a key member of the club’s banking consortium, has issued a decisive message to the team’s management, demanding a swift reversal of the team’s recent fortunes and signaling that patience is wearing thin.
A Call for Urgent Improvement
In a candid address, Mehdi Ahmadi, the CEO of Bank Shahr and a leading figure in the club’s ownership group, expressed clear dissatisfaction with the team’s technical performance under coach Vahid Hashemian. While Ahmadi explicitly stated that a coaching change is not currently on the table, he emphasized that the status quo is unacceptable.
“We suffer from changing coaches,” Ahmadi stated, referencing the disruptive cycle of new managers overhauling squads. However, his comments carried an implicit deadline for the club’s executives to steer the team back on course.
Emphasis on Unity and Aggressive Play
Ahmadi outlined the immediate priorities, calling for calm and unity within the squad, which he described as appearing “unmotivated.” He contrasted the current situation with the legendary passion of Persepolis players from decades past.
The Bank Shahr CEO was particularly pointed about the team’s style of play. He revealed his personal preference as a fan for an aggressive, attacking performance, as initially promised by Coach Hashemian, over a cautious approach that yields draws.
“If the team plays offensively and well, we have no complaint,” Ahmadi asserted. “But to play cautiously and get a draw is truly unacceptable.” He highlighted that failing to secure wins against teams with significantly smaller budgets is a clear indicator that something is amiss.
A Clear Two-Week Deadline
The most significant part of Ahmadi’s message was the establishment of a clear, two-week timeline for improvement. He confirmed having communicated to the board of directors that the team needs a “shock,” whether managerial or directed at the players, to change its trajectory.
Ahmadi has given the management and coaching staff this brief window to demonstrate a positive turnaround in results. Persepolis is set to face Kheybar Khorramabad and Zob Ahan Esfahan following the current FIFA break, matches that now carry immense weight for the club’s leadership.