Golmohammadi nearing Tractor deal as Motahari takes interim role
Former Persepolis manager Yahya Golmohammadi is in advanced talks to take over at Persian Gulf Pro League club Tractor, according to several sources in the Iranian media.
Golmohammadi, 53, has been without a job since stepping down from the Tehran Reds role in January.
The ex-Iranian international enjoyed a glorious four years with Persepolis, lifting the top-flight trophy on three occasions – including last year’s domestic double-winning campaign – while his team reached the AFC Champions League final in 2020, only to miss out on a maiden silverware in the continent’s elite clubs’ competition after a 2-1 defeat against Ulsan Hyundai.
Should the deal go through in the coming days, it will be a second spell for Golmohammadi, who began his footballing career with the Tabriz-based club in late 80s, on Tractor bench – following a 22-game stint in the 2017/18 season.
Meanwhile, Tractor named Hamid Motahari – a former number two to Golmohammadi in Persepolis and a member of the national team’s coaching staff over the past 12 months – as the interim coach on Wednesday.
Motahari takes over from Mohammad Nosrati, who had also been appointed as a caretaker coach following Paco Jemez’s departure but had his short spell come to an end after only a game in charge – a 1-0 away defeat against struggling Nassaji Mazandaran last Friday.
Having joined Tractor midway through last season, Spanish tactician Jemez parted ways with the club in the aftermath of a 4-1 home defeat against Zob Ahan on April 12 – a third successive game without a win for Tractor.
Tractor is fourth in the Iranian league table with 40 points – 13 adrift of Esteghlal on top – with six games to spare, registering 12 wins and eight defeats in 24 matches.
Tractor will play Zob Ahan at home in the Iranian Hazfi Cup last 16 on Friday, before welcoming Esteghlal for a highly-anticipated league fixture next Wednesday.