Persepolis FC overhauls squad under coach Mehdi Tartar, parts with veterans Rafiei and Pourali

Persepolis announced the appointment of Mehdi Tartar as head coach and, according to former player Farshad Pious, emphasized the need for players who already know Tartar’s tactics. The club’s transfer activity has focused on bringing in former Gol Gohar players familiar with the coach, including Mehdi Tikhari, Pouya Pour‑Ali, Majid Iddi, Pouya Shahrabadi and Mohammad‑Mahdi Zareh, a defender signed from Russia.

In the same period, Persepolis officially terminated the contracts of two long‑serving squad members. Defender Mortaza Pourali Ganjī, who played 80 matches and won one Hazfi Cup and two league titles, is expected to move to Iraq. Midfielder Soroush Rafiei, with 163 appearances, five league championships and two cup wins, will continue his career in Canada after his four‑year spell with the club ended.