Persepolis coach Osmar set for permanent role: Report
Persepolis interim head coach Osmar Loss Vieira is set to be handed the permanent job on the Persian Gulf Pro League club’s bench for the start of the next season, according to IRNA.
Having joined the Tehran Reds as an assistant to Yahya Golmohammadi in July 2022, the Brazilian was part of the coaching staff during last season’s domestic double-winning campaign and took the caretaker role in January after former head coach parted ways with the club.
His appointment drew criticism from sections of the Reds faithful, who were eager to have ex-boss Branko Ivankovic back on the bench – before the Croatian turned down the Persepolis offer – but a run of impressive results and performances has seen Osmar win the supporters over, convincing the club to extend his spell beyond the end of the ongoing campaign.
Blessed with the addition of striker Issa Alekasir, Uzbek winger Oston Urunov, and Qatari fullback Abdelkarim Hassan in the winter break, Osmar has steered Persepolis to nine wins in 12 league outings – losing once – though his tactical acumen was questioned when the Reds relinquished a two-goal lead twice before falling to a shootout defeat against Iralco in the Hazfi Cup last 16.
IRNA wrote the club board and the 48-year-old Brazilian, whose experience as a head coach had been limited to short stints in his country, have had several meetings in recent days and are expected to agree on a one-year contract in the coming weeks.
Chasing a seventh top-flight crown in eight years, Persepolis is second in the league table with 59 points – one adrift of city rival Esteghlal – with three games to spare.
The Tehran Reds will play relegation-threatened Esteghlal Khuzestan at home on Tuesday before visiting Shams Azar next Sunday.
The final round of league fixtures will see Persepolis welcome Mes Rafsanjan at the Azadi Stadium on May 11.