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4 clusters · 5 sources · 42 days · First seen · Last updated

Persepolis undergoes generational squad overhaul

Overview

Following the appointment of Mehdi Tartar as head coach in early July 2026, Persepolis conducted a 12-day preseason camp in Turkey to evaluate six squad members and integrate new signings. The club’s transfer strategy has focused on players familiar with Tartar’s tactics, specifically former Gol Gohar teammates Mehdi Tikhari, Pouya Pour-Ali, Majid Iddi, and Pouya Shahrabadi, alongside defender Mohammad-Mahdi Zareh from Russia.

As the team prepares for the 26th Iranian Premier League season opener against Shams Azar Qazvin, Tartar has characterized the significant roster changes as a strategic “generational change” designed to reshape the team’s age structure. Tartar took responsibility for the decisions, noting that the departures of several veteran players—including Soroush Rafiei, Mortaza Pourali, Omid Alishah, and Milad Sarlak—were intended to improve the club’s long-term outlook.

The transition has met with mixed reactions. While the club aims to solidify the squad, veteran Rahim Yousefi expressed skepticism regarding the current technical staff, suggesting that a high-profile foreign coach might be necessary for future success. Yousefi also referenced ongoing discussions regarding the controversial conclusion of the previous season and the potential awarding of the title to Esteghlal FC.

Entities

Mehdi Tartar · Persepolis Football Club · Tavi Bafuma · Farshad Pious · Persepolis FC

Timeline

  1. 28 days ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Persepolis coach Mehdi Tartar announces squad overhaul

    Persepolis FC coach Mehdi Tartar confirms a major squad overhaul and generational shift ahead of the new Iranian Premier League season.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Persepolis FC overhauls squad under coach Mehdi Tartar, parts with veterans Rafiei and Pourali

    Persepolis hires coach Mehdi Tartar, recruits former Gol Gohar players, and officially releases veteran defender Mortaza Pourali Ganjī and midfielder Soroush Rafiei.

  3. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Persepolis Preseason Camp in Turkey Determines Six Player Futures

    Persepolis held a 12‑day preseason camp in Turkey to evaluate six players, with coach Mehdi Tartar using the period to decide on contract futures; Tavi Bafuma scored the winning goal in a 1‑0 friendly win over

  4. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Persepolis appoints Mehdi Tartar as head coach after earlier coaching talks collapse

    Persepolis has hired Mehdi Tartar as head coach after earlier talks with Dragan Skoucich and speculation about Yahi Golmohammadi fell apart.

Sources

aftabnews.ir · etemadonline.com · noandish.com · panama24horas.com.pa · vananews.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history