Persepolis parts ways with Turkish coach Kartal
Persian Gulf Pro League side Persepolis and Ismail Kartal agreed to the mutual termination of the Turkish head coach’s contract, club CEO Reza Darvish confirmed on Tuesday.
Kartal had informed the club last week of his intention not to see out his contract, which would have run until June 2026, citing family reasons, though the decision is widely believed to stem from concerns over further conflict between Iran and Israel.
Israel launched an aerial aggression on Iranian territory in the early hours of June 13, which led to a 12-day war, before a ceasefire went into effect between the two countries.
The former Fenerbahce manager was appointed to the Reds’ job in January, leading the club to eight wins and four draws in 16 games across all competitions.
Persepolis finished third to Tractor and Sepahan in the Iranian league last season – a lowest finish for the club in nine seasons – while crashing out of the AFC Champions League Elite and the Iranian Hazfi Cup.
Following the below-par campaign, Kartal had promised a shakeup of his aging squad ahead of the new season, with the club making seven summer signings at the behest of the Turkish coach.
There could be further foreign departees from the Reds’ squad, as Turkish striker Serdar Dursun, who joined the club in January, and Algerian goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz – signed last summer – are also expected to leave the club in the coming days.
Kartal is the second foreign coach to leave the Iranian top flight in the aftermath of the 12-day war – following Frenchman Patrice Carteron, who stepped down from his role at Sepahan.
Sepahan was quick to replace Carteron by club legend Moharram Navidkia, who steered the Isfahan-based outfit to a runner-up finish in the league in the 2020/21 season during his first spell at the club.
Rumors are already swirling around Persepolis’ vacant managerial position, with some familiar faces being linked to the job in the Iranian media reports in recent days.
Former Persepolis managers Branko Ivankovic and Osmar Loss Viera have reportedly been approached by the club, though both are unlikely to return to the role, while Football360 website wrote on Tuesday that the Reds have also made contact with ex-Iran international Vahid Hashemian.
Karim Baqeri, who served as the interim coach for three games before Kartal’s appointment, is expected to take charge of the Reds’ preseason training in the coming weeks until a permanent coach is unveiled by the club.