Persepolis eyeing sweeping squad overhaul under new coach Tartar
Newly-appointed Persepolis head coach Mahdi Tartar has wasted little time outlining an ambitious rebuilding plan, with the Tehran giants preparing for a major squad overhaul ahead of the new Persian Gulf Pro League season.
The club officially unveiled Tartar as its new manager after abandoning its pursuit of Croatian coach Dragan Skočić, handing the experienced Iranian tactician one of the most coveted jobs in domestic football. Within hours of his appointment, Persepolis also completed its first summer signing by securing winger Mehdi Tikdarinejad, signalling the start of an active transfer window.
According to Iranian media reports, however, the arrival of Tikdarinejad is only the beginning of a much broader restructuring project. Tartar has reportedly promised club officials that he will rejuvenate the squad by lowering its average age while reshaping almost every department of the team.
The most significant changes are expected in defense, where Tartar is understood to have informed the club that veteran center-back Morteza Pouraliganji is not part of his plans. He is also said to have reservations about Hossein Abrqoueinejad’s suitability for his tactical system.
Persepolis is now pursuing multiple defensive reinforcements, with Masoud Mohebbi, Ali Nemati, Mohammadmehdi Zare and Danial Eiri emerging as the main targets. Reports suggest negotiations for Mohebbi and Nemati have progressed positively, while the club hopes to secure at least one of Zare or Eiri despite the financial challenges involved.
Tartar is also looking to strengthen several other positions, with a number of players from his former club Gol Gohar believed to be on his wishlist. Right-back Majid Eidi, midfielder Pouria Pourali and young forward Pouria Shahrabadi have all been linked with moves to Persepolis, while striker Kasra Taheri is another player the club is attempting to sign on loan.
At the same time, the coach has reportedly expressed a desire to retain striker Igor Sergeev and extend Ali Alipour’s contract, while adding further competition in attack through younger recruits.
The overhaul could also bring an end to the Persepolis careers of several experienced figures. Reports indicate Tartar has informed club officials that captain Omid Alishah, midfielder Soroush Rafiei, defensive midfielder Milad Sarlak and Pouraliganji are surplus to requirements.
Club executives have reportedly endorsed the decision despite concerns over the influence and leadership roles those players held in the dressing room. The four players have allegedly been notified of the decision and will not be allowed to train with the first team.
Implementing the changes, however, may prove complicated. Most of the players identified for departure remain under contract, including Alishah, whose deal was automatically extended after meeting an appearance clause. Negotiating exits for high-profile players could therefore slow the club’s transfer activity despite its progress in recruiting replacements.
Tartar arrives at Persepolis with one of the strongest managerial resumes in Iranian football. The 53-year-old has coached continuously in the Iranian top flight for a record 263 consecutive weeks, surpassing the previous mark of 236 weeks.
He has managed 381 Premier League matches, ranking third on the all-time list behind Amir Qalenoei and Majid Jalali, and has remained in charge until the end of every season since guiding Pars Jonoubi Jam to promotion before the 2017-18 campaign.
Persepolis will become the 12th top-flight club coached by Tartar, whose reputation for stability and organization is expected to underpin a new era as the club seeks to recover from two disappointing seasons with a younger and reshaped squad.