Rewritten Title: Financial Strategy Questioned as Persepolis Parts Ways with Key Players
Article:
A Costly Restructuring
In a decisive end to the transfer window, Tehran’s Persepolis Football Club terminated the contracts of two high-profile players, Vahid Amiri and Sardar Dursun. The move, while financially significant, has sparked debate over the team’s strategic direction. Amiri had recently renewed his contract with a substantial salary, while Dursun was on a $700,000 deal for the season. The club negotiated their departures by paying out approximately half of the remaining value of their contracts, thereby freeing up two slots on the senior team roster for new signings.
Unfilled Gaps and Tactical Shifts
However, the planned restructuring hit a snag when Persepolis failed to secure a new striker and a left defender. This forced Head Coach Yahya Golmohammadi to make a considered tactical adjustment, repositioning Farshad Ahmadzadeh as a left defender. Furthermore, with the departure of both Dursun and Isa Alipour, the attacking line was left with Alipour as the sole primary option. Reserve players were unable to fill the void, leaving the team’s offensive capabilities visibly stretched.
The Coach’s Perspective
In his public statements, Coach Golmohammadi expressed full confidence in his current squad. He pointed out that when he assumed leadership of the team, the majority of the slots for the Persian Gulf Pro League had already been filled. He suggested that had his appointment come earlier, he might have implemented a more extensive overhaul of the team’s roster.
A Sponsor’s Critique
The situation has drawn commentary from key financial stakeholders. The Managing Director of Bank Shahr, a major sponsor, publicly questioned the outcome. “If we return to Mr. Golmohammadi’s point,” he stated, “two players left Persepolis: Sardar Dursun and Vahid Amiri. At the very least, if these two players had remained, we would not have the multitude of problems we currently face in both the striker and left defense positions.”
When asked why the club failed to cover these newly created weaknesses, the official highlighted a focus on long-term fiscal health over short-term fixes. “Should the owner be the one chasing after players?” he responded. “We stated that we would not permit the signing of a player if, should a new head coach arrive in the coming years, their contract would need to be terminated, leaving us with only the financial cost on our ledgers.” This statement underscores a strategic emphasis on sustainable financial management within the club’s operations.