Title: Persepolis Leadership Seeks Written Commitment from Manager Vahid Hashemian Amidst League Campaign
A Call for Patience and Performance
In the competitive landscape of Iran’s Premier League, the Persepolis football club finds itself at a pivotal juncture. As the team prepares for its sixth-week match against Gol Gohar Sirjan, discussions surrounding the future of head coach Vahid Hashemian have taken center stage. Former Persepolis player, Morteza Fonounizadeh, has publicly advocated for stability, urging the club’s board of directors to grant the manager more time while simultaneously seeking a formal commitment from him.
Navigating Early Season Pressure
The upcoming fixture carries significant weight, as Gol Gohar is currently managed by Mehdi Tartar, who was previously considered a candidate for the Persepolis coaching role. With Gol Gohar sitting one place above Persepolis in the league table, the match is seen as a critical test. Despite the pressure, Fonounizadeh has strongly advised against any rash decisions, stating that it is too early to consider dismissing Hashemian. He has called for patience from the board and the team’s passionate fanbase, suggesting that the coach should be given until at least the mid-season point to demonstrate his capabilities.
“Vahid Hashemian was a professional player who even played for Bayern Munich and has vast experience at all levels of club and national football,” Fonounizadeh remarked. “He knows himself that he must deliver results with a team like Persepolis to remain in his position.”
A United Front for Success
Highlighting the team’s current third-place standing—which places them at the top of the table alongside other leading teams—Fonounizadeh argued that it is difficult to heavily criticize the coach at this stage. He emphasized that a collective effort is now required, from the CEO Reza Darvish to every member of the team’s staff, to secure positive results in the coming matches.
“The competition is intense,” he noted. “If our rivals start accumulating wins, we cannot remain in the race with draws.”
Overcoming Tactical Challenges
Fonounizadeh acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming game, pointing out that Gol Gohar, under Tartar, employs a defensive style of play that could pose a significant challenge for a Persepolis side that has sometimes struggled to score. He also addressed the coach’s previous comments about preferring to play at Azadi Stadium, countering that the pitch in Shahre Qods is of a comparable standard and should not be used as an excuse. He expressed confidence that with overwhelming fan support expected at the stadium, the team has all it needs to secure a victory.
A Proposed Path Forward
In his concluding remarks, the former player presented a clear proposal to the club’s leadership. Instead of considering a coaching change, he urged the board to obtain a written or verbal commitment from Hashemian, guaranteeing that the team will be among the top three by the mid-season break.
“I ask the members of the club’s board not to think about dismissing Vahid Hashemian at this point in the season,” Fonounizadeh stressed. “Instead, they should get a commitment from him that he can place the team in the top three of the table by the end of the first half of the season. If he cannot, then they can make a serious decision about him. I am sure that in this case, Vahid Hashemian will do his utmost to meet the demands of the board and the people.”