Persepolis FC
Encyclopedia
Persepolis Football Club is an Iran
ian football club based in Tehran
. Persepolis F.C. is the football club of the multisport Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club
.
Persepolis has won the most Iranian championships of any club and they contest the Tehran derby
with arch rivals Esteghlal, a match that is always closely followed. According to the AFC
, Persepolis is the most popular football club in Asia. Only Dalian Shide and Al-Hilal
have similar support in Asia.
was established in 1942 by Dr.Abbas Ekrami
, a teacher.
Ekrami founded the club with help of some young students under the motto
Shahin produced many talented players like Parviz Dehdari
, Masoud Boroumand
, Homayoun Behzadi
, Jafar Kashani
, Hossein Kalani
, Hamid Shirzadegan
, and many more that played for Team Melli. These talents made Shahin popular in the 1960s but its very popularity was viewed as a threat by the Iran Football Federation and the Keihan Varzeshi newspaper (Iran's most important sports publication at the time).
The conflict between them became worse and on 9 July 1967, two days after Shahin's 3–0 win against Tehranjavan F.C.
, the Iran Sports Organization declared Shahin F.C. as dissolved. League attendance dropped and other clubs including Pas, Rah Ahan, and Oghab tried to sign Shahin players.
was established in 1963 by Ali Abdo. Abdo had come to Iran from the United States and was a championship boxer.
Persepolis F.C. started the 1968 season with Parviz Dehdari as manager. Despite the efforts to sign and disperse Shahin players to various clubs, Parviz Dehdari
and Masoud Boroumand
transferred the popularity of Shahin to Persepolis F.C. by taking most Shahin Players to join Persepolis. The team was initially quite weak, and participated in the 2nd division of the country. The best player on the team then was Mahmoud Khordbin
.
The club, using four Shahin players, had a friendly match with Jam Abadan, a respected team at the time. After the match the remainder of the Shahin players joined Persepolis. That year no league competition was held, as many teams had been dissolved, so a 44-team tournament was held, and Persepolis, along with Pas, Taj, and Oghab finished top of the group.
The next year they represented as the first Iranian club in the Asian Champion Club Tournament
held in Thailand
, but they were not successful and were eliminated in the group stage.
automobile factory was opened. In 1969, The boss of the factory, Mahmoud Khayami
, who was also the owner of a football team, was a big fan of Shahin. Khayami, who wanted to improve his football team, entered into negotiations with Persepolis and was able to get all the former Shahin players except Aziz Asli
and Mahmoud Khordbin to join his new team, Paykan Tehran F.C.
Paykan won the championship that year, but the new players moved back to Persepolis at the end of the season.
In 1971, Persepolis won its first ever championship in the Iranian League.
Persepolis had an impressive season with 13 wins and 1 draw, in 14 weeks. In 1972, Abdo announced Persepolis as the first professional football club in Iran. The club did not enter the domestic league and only played against foreign clubs, and a few months later it became amateur again.
Next year the Takht Jamshid Cup
was established.
Persepolis was won the inaugural Takht Jamshid Cup in 1973 and won it again in 1975.
Persepolis is the most successful club in the Takht Jamshid Cup league, clinching two championship titles and finishing three times as runner-up.
took place in 1979, Abdo returned to United States. Although Persepolis won the Espandi Cup, the club fell apart and many of the old players did not return.
The club's property was sequestered by The Oppressed and Veterans Foundation and the club placed under the responsibility of The Physical Education Department of Iran.
In 1981, the Physical Education Department declared that name of the club would change, but club officials, players, and fans opposed the move.
The team didn't appear in the match against Homa in the Tehran league as a protest against the Physical Education Department. They lost the match 3–0 by defauly and Homa became champion. In 1986, The club was taken over by the Oppressed and Veterans Foundation and renamed Azadi ("freedom"). Players declared that they wouldn't play for the club if the name change went through. After a brief period the Foundation did not want the club any more, and it was taken over by the Physical Education Department again.
On 16 February 1987, the Physical Education Department renamed the club Pirouzi ("victory") with players' agreement, although fans still call the team by its original name, Persepolis.
In 1980s the club only played in the Tehran League and various elimination tournaments. Persepolis was successful during this time and maintained its popularity, winning the Tehran League five seasons in a row. During all that time, Ali Parvin
served as player-manager.
s, dozens of great players, and renewed support. At one point more than six Persepolis players were starters on Iran's national team
.
The team won the national championship in the 1995–96
season. At one point in that season they were 10 points behind Firouz Karimi's
Bahman F.C.
. They came back and finished first, six points ahead of the league runner-up. They won the league again the next season, again finishing ahead of the runner up by six points. They were stopped by the Korean
side Pohang Steelers
in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions' Cup
. Persepolis finished third, defeating Iraq's
Al-Zawraa
in the third place match.
The next season they showed good form again, but due to their commitments in the Asian Champions' Cup and the large number of national team players they had, they withdrew from the league. The poor scheduling and mismanagement of both the I.R.I.F.F.
and AFC
officials led to this unprofessional event. This prevented Persepolis from possibly winning a third consecutive league championship. Persepolis did not have much luck in the Asian Champion's cup either, as they were once again stopped in the semi-finals, this time by Chinese club, Dalian Wanda. They lost the third place match as well to Al-Hilal
.
The 1996–97 and 1997–98 Persepolis teams are considered by many to be among the greatest Iranian clubs to ever play. National team players and future superstars such as Ahmadreza Abedzadeh, Khodadad Azizi
, Karim Bagheri
, Ali Daei
, Mehdi Mahdavikia
, Mehrdad Minavand
, Ali Karimi
and many more were among the players who played for the club in those years.
After the World Cup 1998, several of Persepolis' best players were transferred to European clubs, but Persepolis was able to keep a talented squad. Future national team members Ali Karimi
and Hamed Kavianpour
would join the team at this time. They won the 1998–99 championship as well as the Hazfi Cup that season. They also won the 1999–2000 league championship, finishing third again in the Asian Champions Cup. This would be their last championship in the Azadegan League era.
Most of Persepolis' championships at the time were won while Ali Parvin was the manager, and Amirali Abedini
was the chairman.
.
Esteghlal led the league by two points going into the final day of the regular season. Esteghlal's loss to Malavan
and Persepolis' 1–0 win against Fajr Sepasi in their last games of the season gave Persepolis a one point lead and another championship. Their 2001–02
season championship made them the first-ever IPL champions.
The 2002–03
season proved to be extremely difficult and Persepolis finished third, never managing to come close to the eventual winners, Sepahan
. They also fell apart in the newly created AFC Champions League
, failing to advance out of the group stage.
When Akbar Ghamkhar
took over as club chairman, he made several changes in an effort to improve the team. He made public the amount of player and staff salaries, severely angering Parvin, the highest paid player on the team. Ghamkhar hired coach Vinko Begović
, and entered into contracts with several prominent players. Persepolis started off very well in the 2003–04
season but things deteriorated. Begovic left the team and German manager Rainer Zobel
was bought in. Parvin was brought back, taking the position of technical director. The club finished fifth in the standings in the 2004–05
season.
Ghamkhar was replaced with Hojatollah Khatib
. He decided to bring back Parvin. The club experienced major financial problems as some of the spending decisions made in previous years had overextended the club. Persepolis finished the 2005–06
season in ninth place, the lowest it had ever placed. Parvin left the club in February 2006, vowing to never return to Persepolis, after a 4–2 loss to Fajr Sepasi in Azadi Stadium
. After the game, the fans began cursing at Ali Parvin and the players.
Khatib resigned as chairman and Mohammad Hassan Ansarifard
was elected to the post by the club council. Arie Haan was brought in as the new manager, helping the team make it to the 2005–06 Hazfi Cup final, but he was fired by the club just before the 2006–07
season began. Turkish
manager Mustafa Denizli
signed with the team on 17 August 2006. With the final cup match being his first one as the club's manager, Denizli was not able to help the club win the Hazfi Cup in 2006, a cup that the team needed to gain entry into the Asian Champion's League and to receive financial benefits by doing so.
The club did not win the Hazfi Cup the next year either, losing to Sepahan
in the semifinals in June 2007. The club finished third in the IPL 2006–07
, and Denizli left the club after Ansarifard resigned as chairman in June 2007.
became the club chairman in June 2007 and selected Afshin Ghotbi
as head coach of Persepolis for the 2007–08 season.
Ghotbi Promised to lead Persepolis to the IPL championship and started the IPL with a 3–2 win over Sanat Naft. Persepolis was undefeated until the 17th round, where they sufered a 2–1 loss to Sepahan. On 9 January 2008, the disciplinary committee of the Iranian Football Federation
announced because of a serious injury to a security soldier by the Sepahan fans, Sepahan would be charged with a five-point deduction. This was later reduced to three points. Persepolis was also docked six points by FIFA
because of unpaid wages to a number of former players. This placed Persepolis behind Sepahan in the standings.
Near the end of the season Sheys Rezaei
and Mohammad Reza Mamani
were expelled by the team after both players showed poor behavior towards club players, coaches, and management as well as other non-football-related issues. Habib Kashani
and Mahmoud Khordbin
both suffered heart attacks. Persepolis cut Sepahan's seven-point lead to two points by the last game of the season.
In the last week, Persepolis defeated Sepahan when Sepehr Heidari
scored a 90+6th minute goal in front of over 110,000 fans in Azadi Stadium
to give Persepolis its second championship in the IPL and a berth in the Asian Champions League
. In the 2007–2008 Golden Ball award ceremony Persepolis, Afshin Ghotbi, and Mohsen Khalili
won the Team, Manager, and Player of the year titles.
Ghotbi's contract expired at the end of the season and he decided to leave the club. His assistant, Hamid Estili, was very close to management but, Kashani
and other club officials resigned because of conflicts between them and the Iran Physical Education Department. Dariush Mostafavi
was selected as club chairman. Mostafavi promised to bring Ghotbi back. Negotiations were successful, and on 4 July 2008, Ghotbi signed a two-year contract with Persepolis. Ghotbi had many problems with Mostafavi and resigned on 19 November 2008. When talking to the popular Iranian show 90, Ghotbi showed tears before leaving Persepolis and the fans that loved him who had given him the nickname Emperor.
However, Ghotbi left the team in mid-season after a series of losses and eventually became head coach of the Iranian National Team.
took a microphone and sang the anthem accompanied by the fans.
, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire
.The club logo incorporates elements from the location.
The first design of Persepolis' crest used the Faravahar
, an ancient Persian
and Zoroastrian symbol. The Faravahar is a man with falcon wings, each with three feathers. Faravahar looks toward and rises its hand toward Ahura Mazda
. This version of the crest only used in early years. After that there was not a crest on the shirt until the 1980s. In the middle of the 1980s the design of the crest changed. This version had two bull heads attached to one body as seen on a column at Apadana
. The bull points to a cup. Olympic rings are seen under the cup. The bull is the symbol of productivity in ancient Persia beliefs and Persian Literature
and the cup on the top of the column represents the championship. This version was a more detailed version of the current crest. In the 1990s the crest changed again and became more stylized; the Olympic rings were dropped and the cup became more explicit. This version used until 2004; the current crest is simpler still. The Olympic rings return to the crest and the bull of past versions is turned into Homa
, another mythological creature and symbol used in the architecture of Persepolis.
One of Persepolis' nicknames is Sorkhpoushan ("The Reds"), stemming from their traditional kit, which is predominantly red. From the foundation of the club, the common home kit includes a red shirt, red (in some seasons black or white) shorts, and red socks. White and black colours are also seen in the kit. In the early 1970s the shorts were black; white shorts were used in the late 1970s, and red shorts became predominant in the 1980s.
In the 2006–2007
season, fans saw the team wear red and white striped shirts. The away kit of the club is commonly with a white background.
When Persepolis F.C. was created, the sport club already had a number of buildings such as gymnasiums, swimming pools, and bowling alleys in the Bowling Abdo Complex. The faciliyy is in the north of Tehran and was renamed Shahid Chamran Bowling after the revolution. There was initially no stadium for the football team. Ali Abdo bought some land in the Ekbatan
area of Tehran and constructed a stadium there. At the time it was known as Apadana stadium. Persepolis played only one game at the stadium due to poor organization of the seating and a lack of co-operation with other Iranian clubs. Persepolis only used the stadium as a training ground.
Around the time of the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, Abdo had to sell much of the club's property to keep the club functioning due to its poor financial situation and the overall neglect of sport during the eighties in Iran. Abdo sold Apadana Stadium to Rah Ahan F.C. For 200,000 Tomans in 1974. Apadana Stadium is now called Rah Ahan Stadium
. Bowling Abdo burnt down and Abdo returned to the United States. Club properties were confiscated by The Oppressed and Veterans Foundation (Bonyad Mostazafan).
Before the construction of Azadi Stadium
in 1971, Persepolis played its matches at Amjadieh
(Shahid Shiroudi) Stadium. They have played almost all of their home games at Azadi Stadium, except for the 2002–03
season, when they played all but two of their home matches at Tehran's Takhti Stadium
while renovations were taking place at Azadi.
In mid 2006 Persepolis considered buying Shahre Ghods Stadium, but the deal fell through due to Persepolis' poor financial situation and the long distance between the city center and the stadium. The only property the club currently has is its club headquarters, built on land given to the club by the IRIFF.
The youth clubs of Persepolis train and play their matches at Derafshifar Stadium
.
In July 2008 the club used Karegaran Stadium
for first-team training.
. It is said in unofficial counts that the club has over 30 million fans.
The club is based in Tehran and is popular in all parts of country. Persepolis also has a fan base in Afghanistan
and Persian Gulf
countries.
and Taj.
After the departure of Shahin players to Persepolis, the club became too popular and its arch-rival Taj (meaning "crown" in Persian) was the royal team supported by the Shah
of Iran, Mohammad Reza
. As the two biggest and most successful clubs in Iran, nowadays the rivalry continues on an annual basis with both teams often challenging each other for the championship. In each transfer season, both clubs try to attract rival team players.
Another Persepolis rival is Sepahan
, the club based in Esfahan. Both clubs were dependent upon Shahin; one hired most of the Shahin players in its early years and the other was the branch of Shahin F.C. in Esfahan. The rivalry renewed in the early 2000s, when Esfahan rose in Iran football
. Sepahan and Zob Ahan became strong, replacing Tehran popular teams in the 2002–2003 season. Both of Iran's important football competitions, IPL and the Hazfi Cup
, were won by Esfahan teams that season.
Persepolis also had a derby against the now dissolved club, Pas Tehran.
For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers, summer 2011.
For more on the reserve and academy squads, see Persepolis Reserves and Academy
.
For details on former players see :Category:Persepolis F.C. players.
matches are counted.
Last updated 22 November 2011.
Sharjah
Friendship Cup
Al-Nasr International Tournament
Velayat International Cup
IFFHS' World's Best Goal Scorers of the Year
Asian Footballer of the Year
Iran World Cup captains
AFC Asian Cup MVP Award
holds the record for Persepolis appearances with 341, having played between 1970 and 1988, while Afshin Peyrovani
holds the league appearances records with 209, playing from 1993 to 2004.
The record for a goalkeeper is held by Vahid Ghelich
, with 176 appearances. The record for total Persepolis appearances among current players is held by captain Karim Bagheri
with 172 appearances and 23 goals.
With 149 caps, Ali Daei
of Iran is Persepolis' most capped international player. Farshad Pious
is the club's all time top goalscorer in all competitions with 153 goals in 211 matches, playing between 1985 and 1998.
Persepolis set Iran the highest division League records for most wins (9) and most runners-up (7).
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that the club will be privatized. It is expected that the transfer of the club to private investors will be a long process, largely due to problems with the club's financial documents and the debts that the club has accumulated that make it unable to be listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange
. Shares for the club can be sold on the OTC
market once it has removed all of its financial ambiguities.
The purchase of the club has been linked with UAE-based Iranian businessman Sirous Mahjoob, who may also be interested in buying Newcastle United. Mahjoob was said to be willing to buy the club immediately for $50 million dollars and claimed to have previously invested into the club under the reign of chairman Akbar Ghamkhar
.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian football club based in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. Persepolis F.C. is the football club of the multisport Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club
Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club
Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club is an Iranian multisport club based in Tehran, Iran. Tehran has 2 Football clubs in Iran's Premier Football League...
.
Persepolis has won the most Iranian championships of any club and they contest the Tehran derby
Tehran derby
The Tehran derby known locally as the derby Tehran is a football local derby match that takes place twice a year between the two most popular clubs in Iran: Esteghlal F.C. and Persepolis F.C....
with arch rivals Esteghlal, a match that is always closely followed. According to the AFC
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
, Persepolis is the most popular football club in Asia. Only Dalian Shide and Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club...
have similar support in Asia.
Shahin F.C. (1942–1967)
Shahin F.C.Shahin F.C.
Shahin Tehran Football Club was an Iranian football club based in Tehran, Iran that existed until the early 1990s. Shahin A.C. is located at Narmak, Golestan Street. They currently compete in the 2011–12 Iran Football's 3rd Division.-History:...
was established in 1942 by Dr.Abbas Ekrami
Abbas Ekrami
Dr.Abbas Ekrami is a former Iranian football manager. He was founder of Shahin F.C..- External links :*...
, a teacher.
Ekrami founded the club with help of some young students under the motto
Shahin produced many talented players like Parviz Dehdari
Parviz Dehdari
Parviz Dehdari was an Iranian football player and coach.-Early life:He was born on 21 March 1935 in Shiraz from an Abadani family. His family moved back to Abadan after his birth. He was grew in Abadan and began football in 1946.-Playing career:He initially to Jam Abadan in 1953...
, Masoud Boroumand
Masoud Boroumand
Dr. Amir Masoud Boroumand was an Iranian footballer. He played as a forward and was the Iran national football team's captain during the 1950s. He also played for the Lebanon national football team for three years whilst studying in Lebanon, two years as captain.-Club career:In 1945, Boroumand he...
, Homayoun Behzadi
Homayoun Behzadi
Homayoun Behzadi is a retired Iranian footballer. He usually played as a striker.-Career:Behzadi first broke into the Shahin F.C. side when he was only 16 years old. He played for Shahin until 1966, when - due to financial problems - Shahin closed...
, Jafar Kashani
Jafar Kashani
Jafar Kashani, born Jafar Ashraf Kashani on March 21, 1944 in Tehran, Iran is a retired Iranian football player. he was scouted by Dr.Abbas Ekrami, Shahin F.C.'s founder when he was only 16. After Shahin's dissolution he joined Persepolis F.C. and played until 1974 when he was captain...
, Hossein Kalani
Hossein Kalani
Hossein Kalani is a retired Iranian football striker who played for Shahin, Persepolis, Paykan Tehran, Shahbaz and the Iran national football team.Visit his family website at http://www.ghaffaris.com...
, Hamid Shirzadegan
Hamid Shirzadegan
Hamid Shirzadeghan was an Iranian football player. He was one of the most famous footballers ever to play in Iran. During his career, he was nicknamed Paa Talaaee .-Club career:...
, and many more that played for Team Melli. These talents made Shahin popular in the 1960s but its very popularity was viewed as a threat by the Iran Football Federation and the Keihan Varzeshi newspaper (Iran's most important sports publication at the time).
The conflict between them became worse and on 9 July 1967, two days after Shahin's 3–0 win against Tehranjavan F.C.
Tehranjavan F.C.
Tehranjavan F.C. was an Iranian football club established in 1944 by Hossein Fekri. He is one of Persepolis F.C. former managers....
, the Iran Sports Organization declared Shahin F.C. as dissolved. League attendance dropped and other clubs including Pas, Rah Ahan, and Oghab tried to sign Shahin players.
Establishment early years (1963–1969)
Persepolis Athletic and Cultural ClubPersepolis Athletic and Cultural Club
Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club is an Iranian multisport club based in Tehran, Iran. Tehran has 2 Football clubs in Iran's Premier Football League...
was established in 1963 by Ali Abdo. Abdo had come to Iran from the United States and was a championship boxer.
Persepolis F.C. started the 1968 season with Parviz Dehdari as manager. Despite the efforts to sign and disperse Shahin players to various clubs, Parviz Dehdari
Parviz Dehdari
Parviz Dehdari was an Iranian football player and coach.-Early life:He was born on 21 March 1935 in Shiraz from an Abadani family. His family moved back to Abadan after his birth. He was grew in Abadan and began football in 1946.-Playing career:He initially to Jam Abadan in 1953...
and Masoud Boroumand
Masoud Boroumand
Dr. Amir Masoud Boroumand was an Iranian footballer. He played as a forward and was the Iran national football team's captain during the 1950s. He also played for the Lebanon national football team for three years whilst studying in Lebanon, two years as captain.-Club career:In 1945, Boroumand he...
transferred the popularity of Shahin to Persepolis F.C. by taking most Shahin Players to join Persepolis. The team was initially quite weak, and participated in the 2nd division of the country. The best player on the team then was Mahmoud Khordbin
Mahmoud Khordbin
Mahmoud Khordbin is an Iranian retired football player. He is team manager of Persepolis since 1980.-Club career:...
.
The club, using four Shahin players, had a friendly match with Jam Abadan, a respected team at the time. After the match the remainder of the Shahin players joined Persepolis. That year no league competition was held, as many teams had been dissolved, so a 44-team tournament was held, and Persepolis, along with Pas, Taj, and Oghab finished top of the group.
The next year they represented as the first Iranian club in the Asian Champion Club Tournament
Asian Club Championship 1969
The Asian Club Championship 1969 was the 2nd edition of the annual Asian club football competition hosted by Asian Football Confederation. Ten domestic league champions from ten countries competed in the tournament. The tournament was held in Bangkok, Thailand and ten clubs were split in two...
held in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, but they were not successful and were eliminated in the group stage.
Takht Jamshid Cup (1969–1979)
In 1962, the Iran UniversalIran Khodro
Iran Khodro Company, also known as IKCO, is the leading Iranian automaker with headquarters in Tehran. The company's original name was Iran National. IKCO was founded in 1962 and it produced 688,000 passenger cars in 2009...
automobile factory was opened. In 1969, The boss of the factory, Mahmoud Khayami
Mahmoud Khayami
Mahmoud Khayami, CBE, KSS, GCFO is an Iranian industrialist and philanthropist, of French nationality.-Life:Khayami had an active role in the company Iran National or IKCO) , automobile manufacturing and the introduction of the Paykan car to Iran in a...
, who was also the owner of a football team, was a big fan of Shahin. Khayami, who wanted to improve his football team, entered into negotiations with Persepolis and was able to get all the former Shahin players except Aziz Asli
Aziz Asli
Aziz Aslimanesh is an Iranian retired football goalkeeper, manager and actor with an Azeri descent. He played for Daraei F.C. and then joined Persepolis F.C. for rest of his career. He also capped for Team Melli. On January 7, 1971 he smacked the referee in Tehran derby.He acted in many films in...
and Mahmoud Khordbin to join his new team, Paykan Tehran F.C.
Paykan won the championship that year, but the new players moved back to Persepolis at the end of the season.
In 1971, Persepolis won its first ever championship in the Iranian League.
Persepolis had an impressive season with 13 wins and 1 draw, in 14 weeks. In 1972, Abdo announced Persepolis as the first professional football club in Iran. The club did not enter the domestic league and only played against foreign clubs, and a few months later it became amateur again.
Next year the Takht Jamshid Cup
Takht Jamshid Cup
The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league...
was established.
Persepolis was won the inaugural Takht Jamshid Cup in 1973 and won it again in 1975.
Persepolis is the most successful club in the Takht Jamshid Cup league, clinching two championship titles and finishing three times as runner-up.
Success under tough conditions (1979–1990)
When the Iranian RevolutionIranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
took place in 1979, Abdo returned to United States. Although Persepolis won the Espandi Cup, the club fell apart and many of the old players did not return.
The club's property was sequestered by The Oppressed and Veterans Foundation and the club placed under the responsibility of The Physical Education Department of Iran.
The team didn't appear in the match against Homa in the Tehran league as a protest against the Physical Education Department. They lost the match 3–0 by defauly and Homa became champion. In 1986, The club was taken over by the Oppressed and Veterans Foundation and renamed Azadi ("freedom"). Players declared that they wouldn't play for the club if the name change went through. After a brief period the Foundation did not want the club any more, and it was taken over by the Physical Education Department again.
On 16 February 1987, the Physical Education Department renamed the club Pirouzi ("victory") with players' agreement, although fans still call the team by its original name, Persepolis.
In 1980s the club only played in the Tehran League and various elimination tournaments. Persepolis was successful during this time and maintained its popularity, winning the Tehran League five seasons in a row. During all that time, Ali Parvin
Ali Parvin
Ali Parvin , born September 25, 1947 in Tehran) is a retired Iranian football player, coach and a current administrator. He is one of the most famous footballers ever to play in Iran, and is regarded as one of the best from Iran.-Club career:...
served as player-manager.
Revitalization (1990–2001)
The 1990s were a dream decade for the team, with four league championships, two Hazfi CupHazfi Cup
The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
s, dozens of great players, and renewed support. At one point more than six Persepolis players were starters on Iran's national team
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
.
The team won the national championship in the 1995–96
Azadegan League 1995/96
The following is the final results of the Azadegan League's 1995/96 football season.----* Iranian football champions: Persepolis* Relegated: Jonoob Ahvaz, Ararat Tehran, Shahrdari Tabriz, Saipa...
season. At one point in that season they were 10 points behind Firouz Karimi's
Firouz Karimi
Firouz Karimi is an Iranian football manager and the current manager of Shahin Bushehr.-Early life:Firouz Karimi was born on 13 April 1956 in Tehran, Iran. He was married in 1980 and has three daughters and one son. He is famous inside Iran for his strong sense of humor, often revealed in...
Bahman F.C.
Bahman F.C.
Bahman Karaj Football Club was an Iranian football club based in Karaj, Iran. In 1993, the rights and licenses of two football clubs Vahdat F.C. and Bank Sepah F.C. were purchased and Bahman F.C. entered the league. In the early years, the bulk of players were from Pas Tehran F.C...
. They came back and finished first, six points ahead of the league runner-up. They won the league again the next season, again finishing ahead of the runner up by six points. They were stopped by the Korean
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
side Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...
in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions' Cup
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
. Persepolis finished third, defeating Iraq's
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
Al-Zawraa
Al-Zawraa
Al-Zawra'a Sport Club is an Iraqi football club based in Karkh, Baghdad. Al-Zawraa is considered to be one of the best Iraqi football clubs in history, as it has won 12 national titles...
in the third place match.
The next season they showed good form again, but due to their commitments in the Asian Champions' Cup and the large number of national team players they had, they withdrew from the league. The poor scheduling and mismanagement of both the I.R.I.F.F.
Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation
The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran ' is the governing body for football in Iran. It was founded in 1920, and has been a member of FIFA since 1945. It is also a member of the Asian Football Confederation...
and AFC
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
officials led to this unprofessional event. This prevented Persepolis from possibly winning a third consecutive league championship. Persepolis did not have much luck in the Asian Champion's cup either, as they were once again stopped in the semi-finals, this time by Chinese club, Dalian Wanda. They lost the third place match as well to Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club...
.
The 1996–97 and 1997–98 Persepolis teams are considered by many to be among the greatest Iranian clubs to ever play. National team players and future superstars such as Ahmadreza Abedzadeh, Khodadad Azizi
Khodadad Azizi
Khodadad Azizi is an Iranian retired professional football striker and a current coach.-International career:Azizi represented Iran at the 1996 Asian cup, 1998 FIFA World Cup, and the 2000 Asian Cup...
, Karim Bagheri
Karim Bagheri
Karim Bagheri is a retired professional Iranian player, most notably playing for Persepolis in the Iran Pro League. He was known as a two-footed midfielder and is famous for his powerful and thundering long range shots and free kicks.-Early years:...
, Ali Daei
Ali Daei
Ali Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
, Mehdi Mahdavikia
Mehdi Mahdavikia
Mehdi Mahdavikia is an Iranian football player who plays for Damash Gilan in the Iranian Pro League. He has won Asian Young Footballer of the Year award in 1997, as well as Asian Footballer of the Year in 2003. He was the captain of the Iran national football team from 2006 to 2009, and currently...
, Mehrdad Minavand
Mehrdad Minavand
Mehrdad Minavand Chal is a retired Iranian football player, and currently a pop singer.-Club career:He played for a few clubs, including Keshavarz F.C., Persepolis FC, Sturm Graz , SC Charleroi and Al-Shabab as well as Sepahan...
, Ali Karimi
Ali Karimi
Mohammad Ali Karimi Pashaki better known as Ali Karimi, is an Iranian professional footballer who is currently playing for Persepolis in Iran Pro League. He was awarded the Asian Footballer of the Year in 2004....
and many more were among the players who played for the club in those years.
After the World Cup 1998, several of Persepolis' best players were transferred to European clubs, but Persepolis was able to keep a talented squad. Future national team members Ali Karimi
Ali Karimi
Mohammad Ali Karimi Pashaki better known as Ali Karimi, is an Iranian professional footballer who is currently playing for Persepolis in Iran Pro League. He was awarded the Asian Footballer of the Year in 2004....
and Hamed Kavianpour
Hamed Kavianpour
Hamed Kavianpour is a retired Iranian professional football player.-Club career:He has played most of his career for Persepolis FC where he had several good seasons, playing in the midfield with his great skill and dribbling...
would join the team at this time. They won the 1998–99 championship as well as the Hazfi Cup that season. They also won the 1999–2000 league championship, finishing third again in the Asian Champions Cup. This would be their last championship in the Azadegan League era.
Most of Persepolis' championships at the time were won while Ali Parvin was the manager, and Amirali Abedini
Amir Abedini
Amir Abedini is an Iranian football club chairman, former professional footballer and member of the City Council of Tehran.Abedini played for Persepolis and Paykan in the 1960s....
was the chairman.
IPL era (2001 – present)
Persepolis entered the newly established IPL looking to dominate once again, but near the end of the season they were in a very close race with their rival EsteghlalEsteghlal
Esteghlal is an Arabic word means independence. the name held by many Iranian football clubs and Armenian football clubs. This includes:*Esteghlal F.C.— Iranian football club*Esteghlal Ahvaz F.C...
.
Esteghlal led the league by two points going into the final day of the regular season. Esteghlal's loss to Malavan
Malavan
Malavan Bandar Anzali Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Bandar-e Anzali, Iran.The team is known to have some of the most passionate and loyal fans in Iranian football, and is one of the most successful teams not based in Tehran....
and Persepolis' 1–0 win against Fajr Sepasi in their last games of the season gave Persepolis a one point lead and another championship. Their 2001–02
IPL 2001/02
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2001–02 football season. This was the first season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Persepolis F.C...
season championship made them the first-ever IPL champions.
The 2002–03
IPL 2002/03
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2002/03 football season. This season will be the 2nd season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan F.C...
season proved to be extremely difficult and Persepolis finished third, never managing to come close to the eventual winners, Sepahan
Sepahan
Sepahan Esfahan is an Iranian football club based in Isfahan, Iran. They compete in Iran's top flight known as Persian Gulf League and hold most of the records in the PGL under their belt. Sepahan are the latest champions of the PGL in 2010–11 season for the record third time in the ten-year PGL...
. They also fell apart in the newly created AFC Champions League
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
, failing to advance out of the group stage.
When Akbar Ghamkhar
Akbar Ghamkhar
Akbar Ghamkhar was the chairman of famous multisport club Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club based in Tehran, Iran between August 2002 and July 2004.-References:...
took over as club chairman, he made several changes in an effort to improve the team. He made public the amount of player and staff salaries, severely angering Parvin, the highest paid player on the team. Ghamkhar hired coach Vinko Begović
Vinko Begovic
Vinko Begović is a Croatian football coach.He has previously served as head coach of several clubs namely Foolad, Persepolis and Pegah Gilan of Iran, and Al-Wasl of the UAE. He was also manager of the Iran national under-23 football team for a short period in 2007.- Sources :...
, and entered into contracts with several prominent players. Persepolis started off very well in the 2003–04
IPL 2003/04
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2003/04 football season. This season will be the 3rd season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Pas Tehran F.C...
season but things deteriorated. Begovic left the team and German manager Rainer Zobel
Rainer Zobel
Rainer Zobel is a former German football player and current football coach.- Coaching career :In 2005, Zobel was head coach of Persepolis F.C. in Iran's Premier Football League...
was bought in. Parvin was brought back, taking the position of technical director. The club finished fifth in the standings in the 2004–05
IPL 2004/05
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2004/05 football season. This season will be the 4th season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Foolad Khuzestan F.C...
season.
Ghamkhar was replaced with Hojatollah Khatib
Hojatollah Khatib
Hojatollah Khatib is the chairman of famous multisport club Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club based in Tehran, Iran between July 2004 and December 2005.-References:...
. He decided to bring back Parvin. The club experienced major financial problems as some of the spending decisions made in previous years had overextended the club. Persepolis finished the 2005–06
IPL 2005/06
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2005/06 football season. This season will be the 5th season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Esteghlal F.C. were defending champions.-Final classification:...
season in ninth place, the lowest it had ever placed. Parvin left the club in February 2006, vowing to never return to Persepolis, after a 4–2 loss to Fajr Sepasi in Azadi Stadium
Azadi Stadium
The Azadi Stadium formerly Aryamehr Stadium is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games...
. After the game, the fans began cursing at Ali Parvin and the players.
Khatib resigned as chairman and Mohammad Hassan Ansarifard
Mohammad Hassan Ansarifard
Mohammad Hassan Ansarifard is a former Iranian football player, having played in Persepolis F.C. and the Iranian national football team. He is currently the chairman of Rah Ahan F.C.. He is the younger brother of Abbas Ansarifard.-Playing career:...
was elected to the post by the club council. Arie Haan was brought in as the new manager, helping the team make it to the 2005–06 Hazfi Cup final, but he was fired by the club just before the 2006–07
IPL 2006/07
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2006/07 football season. This season was the 6th season since the establishment of the Iranian Premier League...
season began. Turkish
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
manager Mustafa Denizli
Mustafa Denizli
Mustafa Denizli is a former Turkish football player and coach. He has won the Turkish League title five times, all with the 'Istanbul Big Three' . He is currently the only manager in history to win the Turkish league with three different clubs...
signed with the team on 17 August 2006. With the final cup match being his first one as the club's manager, Denizli was not able to help the club win the Hazfi Cup in 2006, a cup that the team needed to gain entry into the Asian Champion's League and to receive financial benefits by doing so.
The club did not win the Hazfi Cup the next year either, losing to Sepahan
Sepahan
Sepahan Esfahan is an Iranian football club based in Isfahan, Iran. They compete in Iran's top flight known as Persian Gulf League and hold most of the records in the PGL under their belt. Sepahan are the latest champions of the PGL in 2010–11 season for the record third time in the ten-year PGL...
in the semifinals in June 2007. The club finished third in the IPL 2006–07
IPL 2006/07
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2006/07 football season. This season was the 6th season since the establishment of the Iranian Premier League...
, and Denizli left the club after Ansarifard resigned as chairman in June 2007.
Emperor epoch
Habib KashaniHabib Kashani
Habib Kashani is an Iranian politician and businessman. He is a member of City Council of Tehran since 10 April 2003. He was the chairman of famous multisport club Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club based in Tehran, Iran, between 1 June 2007 to 1 June 2008 and for a second term from 1 October...
became the club chairman in June 2007 and selected Afshin Ghotbi
Afshin Ghotbi
Afshin Ghotbi is an Iranian-American football coach and current head coach of the Japanese side Shimizu S-Pulse in J-League.-Early life:Though his family were from Shiraz, Mr. Afshin Ghotbi was born in the country's capital Tehran...
as head coach of Persepolis for the 2007–08 season.
Ghotbi Promised to lead Persepolis to the IPL championship and started the IPL with a 3–2 win over Sanat Naft. Persepolis was undefeated until the 17th round, where they sufered a 2–1 loss to Sepahan. On 9 January 2008, the disciplinary committee of the Iranian Football Federation
Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation
The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran ' is the governing body for football in Iran. It was founded in 1920, and has been a member of FIFA since 1945. It is also a member of the Asian Football Confederation...
announced because of a serious injury to a security soldier by the Sepahan fans, Sepahan would be charged with a five-point deduction. This was later reduced to three points. Persepolis was also docked six points by FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
because of unpaid wages to a number of former players. This placed Persepolis behind Sepahan in the standings.
Near the end of the season Sheys Rezaei
Sheys Rezaei
-Club career:Sheys is originally from Hamid Abad .He has played most of his career for Persepolis and started be known in 2005-06 season and became more famous after problems in 2007-08 season.He was fired of the squad because of acting against manager Afshin Ghotbi just when few weeks was left in...
and Mohammad Reza Mamani
Mohammad Reza Mamani
Mohammad Reza Mamani is an Iranian footballer who played for Shahrdari Yasuj F.C. in the Azadegan League.-Honours:*Iran's Premier Football League Winner: 1**2007/08 with Persepolis-External Links:*...
were expelled by the team after both players showed poor behavior towards club players, coaches, and management as well as other non-football-related issues. Habib Kashani
Habib Kashani
Habib Kashani is an Iranian politician and businessman. He is a member of City Council of Tehran since 10 April 2003. He was the chairman of famous multisport club Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club based in Tehran, Iran, between 1 June 2007 to 1 June 2008 and for a second term from 1 October...
and Mahmoud Khordbin
Mahmoud Khordbin
Mahmoud Khordbin is an Iranian retired football player. He is team manager of Persepolis since 1980.-Club career:...
both suffered heart attacks. Persepolis cut Sepahan's seven-point lead to two points by the last game of the season.
In the last week, Persepolis defeated Sepahan when Sepehr Heidari
Sepehr Heidari
Sepehr Heidari is an Iranian football defender who currently plays for Mes Kerman in Iran Pro League and the Iran national football team. He has a bachelor of Mechanical engineering from Najaf Abad Azad University.-Club career:...
scored a 90+6th minute goal in front of over 110,000 fans in Azadi Stadium
Azadi Stadium
The Azadi Stadium formerly Aryamehr Stadium is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games...
to give Persepolis its second championship in the IPL and a berth in the Asian Champions League
AFC Champions League 2009
The 2009 AFC Champions League was the 28th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 7th under the current AFC Champions League title. The final took place at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on November 7...
. In the 2007–2008 Golden Ball award ceremony Persepolis, Afshin Ghotbi, and Mohsen Khalili
Mohsen Khalili
Mohsen Khalili is an Iranian football forward. He is currently playing for the Iranian Professional League, Steel Azin.-Saipa:He Played for Saipa for several seasons, helping the team win the Iran Professional League in the 2006/07 season, scoring 8 goals...
won the Team, Manager, and Player of the year titles.
Ghotbi's contract expired at the end of the season and he decided to leave the club. His assistant, Hamid Estili, was very close to management but, Kashani
Habib Kashani
Habib Kashani is an Iranian politician and businessman. He is a member of City Council of Tehran since 10 April 2003. He was the chairman of famous multisport club Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club based in Tehran, Iran, between 1 June 2007 to 1 June 2008 and for a second term from 1 October...
and other club officials resigned because of conflicts between them and the Iran Physical Education Department. Dariush Mostafavi
Dariush Mostafavi
Seyed Dariush Mostafavi is the former chairman of the multisport club Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club based in Tehran, Iran and former chairman of IRIFF. He is also former player of Team Melli, Taj and Persepolis F.C.....
was selected as club chairman. Mostafavi promised to bring Ghotbi back. Negotiations were successful, and on 4 July 2008, Ghotbi signed a two-year contract with Persepolis. Ghotbi had many problems with Mostafavi and resigned on 19 November 2008. When talking to the popular Iranian show 90, Ghotbi showed tears before leaving Persepolis and the fans that loved him who had given him the nickname Emperor.
However, Ghotbi left the team in mid-season after a series of losses and eventually became head coach of the Iranian National Team.
Anthem
The table below shows the anthem that is sung at Persepolis home matches. In the championship ceremony of the 2007–2008 season, captain Karim BagheriKarim Bagheri
Karim Bagheri is a retired professional Iranian player, most notably playing for Persepolis in the Iran Pro League. He was known as a two-footed midfielder and is famous for his powerful and thundering long range shots and free kicks.-Early years:...
took a microphone and sang the anthem accompanied by the fans.
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Transliteration Transliteration is a subset of the science of hermeneutics. It is a form of translation, and is the practice of converting a text from one script into another... |
Translation Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of... |
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Colours and crest
Persepolis was named after the historical landmark, PersepolisPersepolis
Perspolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire . Persepolis is situated northeast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern Iran. In contemporary Persian, the site is known as Takht-e Jamshid...
, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire
Achaemenid Empire
The Achaemenid Empire , sometimes known as First Persian Empire and/or Persian Empire, was founded in the 6th century BCE by Cyrus the Great who overthrew the Median confederation...
.The club logo incorporates elements from the location.
The first design of Persepolis' crest used the Faravahar
Faravahar
Faravahar is one of the best-known symbols of Zoroastrianism, the state religion of ancient Iran. This religious-cultural symbol was adapted by the Pahlavi dynasty to represent the Iranian nation....
, an ancient Persian
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
and Zoroastrian symbol. The Faravahar is a man with falcon wings, each with three feathers. Faravahar looks toward and rises its hand toward Ahura Mazda
Ahura Mazda
Ahura Mazdā is the Avestan name for a divinity of the Old Iranian religion who was proclaimed the uncreated God by Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism...
. This version of the crest only used in early years. After that there was not a crest on the shirt until the 1980s. In the middle of the 1980s the design of the crest changed. This version had two bull heads attached to one body as seen on a column at Apadana
Apadana
The Apadāna is a collection of biographical stories found in the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Pāli Canon, the scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. It is thought by most scholars to be a late addition to the canon, composed during the 1st and 2nd century BCE...
. The bull points to a cup. Olympic rings are seen under the cup. The bull is the symbol of productivity in ancient Persia beliefs and Persian Literature
Persian literature
Persian literature spans two-and-a-half millennia, though much of the pre-Islamic material has been lost. Its sources have been within historical Persia including present-day Iran as well as regions of Central Asia where the Persian language has historically been the national language...
and the cup on the top of the column represents the championship. This version was a more detailed version of the current crest. In the 1990s the crest changed again and became more stylized; the Olympic rings were dropped and the cup became more explicit. This version used until 2004; the current crest is simpler still. The Olympic rings return to the crest and the bull of past versions is turned into Homa
Homa
Homa may refer to:* Homa, a religious practise in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, involving making offerings into a consecrated fire.* Homa bird, a creature of Eastern fable* Homa F.C., a professional league football club based in Tehran, Iran...
, another mythological creature and symbol used in the architecture of Persepolis.
One of Persepolis' nicknames is Sorkhpoushan ("The Reds"), stemming from their traditional kit, which is predominantly red. From the foundation of the club, the common home kit includes a red shirt, red (in some seasons black or white) shorts, and red socks. White and black colours are also seen in the kit. In the early 1970s the shorts were black; white shorts were used in the late 1970s, and red shorts became predominant in the 1980s.
In the 2006–2007
Persepolis F.C. season 2006-07
This is a list of Persepolis F.C.s results at the 2006/2007 Season. The club is competing in the Iran Pro League.-Persepolis schedule IPL 2006/07:-Results by round:-Results summary:-League standings:...
season, fans saw the team wear red and white striped shirts. The away kit of the club is commonly with a white background.
Stadium and facilities
Ekbatan
Ekbatan Complex is a planned town built as a project of modern apartment buildings in western part of Tehran, Iran. Today it is considered one of Tehran's neighborhoods. It is the largest residential complex in Tehran.- History :...
area of Tehran and constructed a stadium there. At the time it was known as Apadana stadium. Persepolis played only one game at the stadium due to poor organization of the seating and a lack of co-operation with other Iranian clubs. Persepolis only used the stadium as a training ground.
Around the time of the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, Abdo had to sell much of the club's property to keep the club functioning due to its poor financial situation and the overall neglect of sport during the eighties in Iran. Abdo sold Apadana Stadium to Rah Ahan F.C. For 200,000 Tomans in 1974. Apadana Stadium is now called Rah Ahan Stadium
Rah Ahan Stadium
The Rah Ahan Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Tehran, Iran. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Rah Ahan F.C. who currently play in Iran's Premier Football League....
. Bowling Abdo burnt down and Abdo returned to the United States. Club properties were confiscated by The Oppressed and Veterans Foundation (Bonyad Mostazafan).
Before the construction of Azadi Stadium
Azadi Stadium
The Azadi Stadium formerly Aryamehr Stadium is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games...
in 1971, Persepolis played its matches at Amjadieh
Shahid Shiroudi Stadium
The Shahid Shiroudi Stadium is a sports stadium in Tehran, Iran, currently used only for Athletic competitions. Until 2009 it was used mostly for football matches....
(Shahid Shiroudi) Stadium. They have played almost all of their home games at Azadi Stadium, except for the 2002–03
IPL 2002/03
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2002/03 football season. This season will be the 2nd season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan F.C...
season, when they played all but two of their home matches at Tehran's Takhti Stadium
Takhti Stadium (Tehran)
Takhti Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Tehran, Iran. It is used mostly for football matches. The stadium is able to hold 30,000 people and was opened in 1973....
while renovations were taking place at Azadi.
In mid 2006 Persepolis considered buying Shahre Ghods Stadium, but the deal fell through due to Persepolis' poor financial situation and the long distance between the city center and the stadium. The only property the club currently has is its club headquarters, built on land given to the club by the IRIFF.
The youth clubs of Persepolis train and play their matches at Derafshifar Stadium
Derafshifar Stadium
The Derafshifar Stadium is the training ground and Academy base of Iranian football club Persepolis.Inside the complex, there are training areas, Hotel and pools. There are also a sauna, steam and weight rooms, a restaurant, conference rooms and offices....
.
In July 2008 the club used Karegaran Stadium
Karegaran Stadium
Karegaran Stadium is a football ground located in Tehran that Persepolis F.C. trains on. Before being occupied by Persepolis F.C., the stadium was tenanted by Steel Azin F.C.....
for first-team training.
Supporters and rivalries
Persepolis is one of the highest supported teams in Iranian footballFootball in Iran
Football in Iran is quite possibly the most popular sport, with only wrestling and volleyball being able to match its popularity. Football has been a part of life for Iranians for many decades now and is played in schools, alleys, streets and football clubs nationwide.-History of football in...
. It is said in unofficial counts that the club has over 30 million fans.
The club is based in Tehran and is popular in all parts of country. Persepolis also has a fan base in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
countries.
Famous fans
- Mohammad KhatamiMohammad KhatamiSayyid Mohammad Khātamī is an Iranian scholar, philosopher, Shiite theologian and Reformist politician. He served as the fifth President of Iran from August 2, 1997 to August 3, 2005. He also served as Iran's Minister of Culture in both the 1980s and 1990s...
, Former President of IranPresident of IranThe President of Iran is the highest popularly elected official in, and the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Iran; although subordinate to the Supreme Leader of Iran, who functions as the country's head of state... - Mohammad Reza KhatamiMohammad Reza KhatamiSeyyed Mohammad Reza Khatami is an Iranian politician and nephrologist.He was the first Secretary-General of the Islamic Iran Participation Front, the largest Iranian reformist party. He is now a member of the central council of the party...
, Politician - Zahra EshraghiZahra EshraghiZahra Eshraghi is an Iranian feminist and human rights activist. She is the granddaughter of Ayatollah Khomeini, and wife of Mohammad Reza Khatami , former head of the Islamic Iran Participation Front, the main reformist party in Iran.Zahra Eshraghi wants the wearing of headscarves to no longer...
, Granddaughter of Ayatollah Khomeini - Sohrab SepehriSohrab SepehriSohrab Sepehri was a notable modern Persian poet and a painter.He was born in Kashan in Isfahan province....
, Poet † - Mohammadreza SharifiniaMohamad Reza Sharifinia-Early life:Sharifinia was born on 15 June 1955 in Tehran, Iran. after graduating from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts he married to Iranian actress Azita Hajian, the outcome of this marriage are two daughters Mehraveh and Melika...
, Actor - Masoud KimiaiMasoud KimiaiMasoud Kimiai is an Iranian director, screenwriter and producer. He was born in 1941 in Tehran, Iran.- Biography :Kimiai started his career as an assistant director and made his debut, Come Stranger, in 1968. With his second film, Kaiser , he and Dariush Mehrjui with The film Cow, caused a...
, Director - Masoud Behnoud, Journalist
- Mahmoud KhayamiMahmoud KhayamiMahmoud Khayami, CBE, KSS, GCFO is an Iranian industrialist and philanthropist, of French nationality.-Life:Khayami had an active role in the company Iran National or IKCO) , automobile manufacturing and the introduction of the Paykan car to Iran in a...
, Founder of Iran KhodroIran KhodroIran Khodro Company, also known as IKCO, is the leading Iranian automaker with headquarters in Tehran. The company's original name was Iran National. IKCO was founded in 1962 and it produced 688,000 passenger cars in 2009... - Hossein SabetHossein SabetHossein Sabet Baktash is an Iranian businessman and Persian carpet dealer who owns Sabet International Trading Co.. Sabet has a BSc in engineering and resides in Berlin, Germany.In 1981 Sabet bought the Berlin newspaper Der Abend....
, Businessman and Owner of Dariush Grand HotelDariush Grand HotelThe Dariush Grand Hotel is a 168-room, $125 million, five star hotel located on the eastern part of Kish Island in the Persian Gulf.-Establishment:...
- Morteza Ahmadi, Actor
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, Actor
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- Mohammad Nasiri, Weightlifter
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, Director
Rivalries
Persepolis is one side of Iran's most important football match which is called The Sorkhabi derby. The rivalry between Persepolis and Esteghlal was derived from the previous significant derby between ShahinShahin F.C.
Shahin Tehran Football Club was an Iranian football club based in Tehran, Iran that existed until the early 1990s. Shahin A.C. is located at Narmak, Golestan Street. They currently compete in the 2011–12 Iran Football's 3rd Division.-History:...
and Taj.
After the departure of Shahin players to Persepolis, the club became too popular and its arch-rival Taj (meaning "crown" in Persian) was the royal team supported by the Shah
Shah
Shāh is the title of the ruler of certain Southwest Asian and Central Asian countries, especially Persia , and derives from the Persian word shah, meaning "king".-History:...
of Iran, Mohammad Reza
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia , ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979...
. As the two biggest and most successful clubs in Iran, nowadays the rivalry continues on an annual basis with both teams often challenging each other for the championship. In each transfer season, both clubs try to attract rival team players.
Another Persepolis rival is Sepahan
Sepahan
Sepahan Esfahan is an Iranian football club based in Isfahan, Iran. They compete in Iran's top flight known as Persian Gulf League and hold most of the records in the PGL under their belt. Sepahan are the latest champions of the PGL in 2010–11 season for the record third time in the ten-year PGL...
, the club based in Esfahan. Both clubs were dependent upon Shahin; one hired most of the Shahin players in its early years and the other was the branch of Shahin F.C. in Esfahan. The rivalry renewed in the early 2000s, when Esfahan rose in Iran football
Football in Iran
Football in Iran is quite possibly the most popular sport, with only wrestling and volleyball being able to match its popularity. Football has been a part of life for Iranians for many decades now and is played in schools, alleys, streets and football clubs nationwide.-History of football in...
. Sepahan and Zob Ahan became strong, replacing Tehran popular teams in the 2002–2003 season. Both of Iran's important football competitions, IPL and the Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup
The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
, were won by Esfahan teams that season.
Persepolis also had a derby against the now dissolved club, Pas Tehran.
First-team squad
- See also: Persepolis F.C. season 2011–122011–12 Persepolis F.C. seasonThe 2011–12 season will be Persepolis's 11th season in the Pro League, and their 26th consecutive season in the top division of Iranian football. They will also be competing in the Hazfi Cup and Champions League.-First team squad:...
For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers, summer 2011.
For more on the reserve and academy squads, see Persepolis Reserves and Academy
Persepolis F.C. Reserves and Academy
Persepolis B is the reserve team of Persepolis reestablish in 2009. They currently compete in the Tehran Province AFC Vision Asia Division 1 League.-Current squad:*Head Coach: Esmaeil Halali-U-23:...
.
Notable players
For notable players see List of Persepolis F.C. players.For details on former players see :Category:Persepolis F.C. players.
Club captains
| # | Name | Nat | Career in Persepolis |
Captaincy | Shirt Num |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
Hamid Jasemian Hamid Jasemian Hamid Jasemian born August 25, 1937 in Abadan, Iran is a retired Iranian football player.He played for Shahin Abadan, Shahin F.C. and Persepolis F.C.. He was a center defender and when he played in Abadan, denied Taj offer and joined Shahin F.C.. He is Persepolis' first ever captain.-References:... |
 |
1967–70 | 1967–70 | |
| |
Buyuk Vatankhah Buyuk Vatankhah Buyuk Vatankhah or Ezzatollah Vatankhah is a retired Iranian football player and currently a scouter. He has played in Rah Ahan F.C., Taj, Shahin F.C. and Persepolis F.C.. After he retired in 1972, he became manager of Persepolis F.C. U20 team and then selected as first-team manager in 1976... |
|
1967–74 | 1971–72 | |
| |
Homayoun Behzadi Homayoun Behzadi Homayoun Behzadi is a retired Iranian footballer. He usually played as a striker.-Career:Behzadi first broke into the Shahin F.C. side when he was only 16 years old. He played for Shahin until 1966, when - due to financial problems - Shahin closed... |
|
1967–74 | 1972–74 | |
| |
Jafar Kashani Jafar Kashani Jafar Kashani, born Jafar Ashraf Kashani on March 21, 1944 in Tehran, Iran is a retired Iranian football player. he was scouted by Dr.Abbas Ekrami, Shahin F.C.'s founder when he was only 16. After Shahin's dissolution he joined Persepolis F.C. and played until 1974 when he was captain... |
|
1967–74 | |
|
| |
Ebrahim Ashtiani Ebrahim Ashtiani Ebrahim Ashtiani is a former Iranian football player. His son Ardalan Ashtiani is also a football player.Ashtiani won the Asia Cup in Thailand in 1972 as well as the football tournament of the Asian Games 1974 in Tehran... |
|
1967–76 | 1974–75 | |
| |
Ali Parvin Ali Parvin Ali Parvin , born September 25, 1947 in Tehran) is a retired Iranian football player, coach and a current administrator. He is one of the most famous footballers ever to play in Iran, and is regarded as one of the best from Iran.-Club career:... |
 |
1970–88 | 1975–88 | |
| |
Mohammad Panjali Mohammad Panjali Seyed Mohammad Panjali Qomi is retired Iranian footballer and a football coach. He played for Bargh Tehran, Fath Tehran, F.C. Aboomoslem, Persepolis FC and the Iran national football team, where he made 45 appearances. He usually played in the defender position.-References:... |
|
1976–94 | 1988–92 | |
| |
Farshad Pious Farshad Pious Farshad Pious is a retired Iranian football player who was a striker for a number of clubs in Iran, most notably Persepolis F.C., as well as Iran national football team.-Club career:... |
|
1985–88 1989–98 |
1992–96 | |
| |
Mojtaba Moharrami Mojtaba Moharrami Mojtaba Moharrami is a former Iranian football player and now coach. He is current head coach of Steel Azin B.Moharrami made 37 appearances for the Iran national football team..... |
|
1988–97 | |
|
| |
Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh Ahmadreza Abedzadeh is a retired Iranian football goalkeeper. He played for Esteghlal F.C., Sepahan F.C., Persepolis F.C. and the Iranian national football team.Abedzadeh is one of the best known goalkeepers in Iranian football history... |
|
1994-00 | 1996-00 | |
| |
Afshin Peyrovani Afshin Peyrovani Mohammad Ali "Afshin" Peyravani is a retired Iranian footballer and a football coach. He is the younger brother of Gholam Peyrovani and elder brother of Amir Hossein Peyrovani.-Club career:... |
|
1993-04 | 2000–03 | |
| |
Ali Daei Ali Daei Ali Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches... |
|
1994–96 2003–04 |
2003–04 | |
| |
Karim Bagheri Karim Bagheri Karim Bagheri is a retired professional Iranian player, most notably playing for Persepolis in the Iran Pro League. He was known as a two-footed midfielder and is famous for his powerful and thundering long range shots and free kicks.-Early years:... |
|
1996–97 2002–11 |
2004–11 | |
| |
Sepehr Heidari Sepehr Heidari Sepehr Heidari is an Iranian football defender who currently plays for Mes Kerman in Iran Pro League and the Iran national football team. He has a bachelor of Mechanical engineering from Najaf Abad Azad University.-Club career:... |
|
2007–2011 | |
|
| |
Ali Karimi Ali Karimi Mohammad Ali Karimi Pashaki better known as Ali Karimi, is an Iranian professional footballer who is currently playing for Persepolis in Iran Pro League. He was awarded the Asian Footballer of the Year in 2004.... |
|
1998–01 2008–09 2011– |
2011– | |
Notable managers
The table below shows Persepolis managers that have won noteworthy titles or had a great impact on the team. For a more detailed and chronological list of Persepolis managers from 1964 onwards with their trophies, see List of Persepolis F.C. managers.| Name | Nat | Period | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parviz Dehdari Parviz Dehdari Parviz Dehdari was an Iranian football player and coach.-Early life:He was born on 21 March 1935 in Shiraz from an Abadani family. His family moved back to Abadan after his birth. He was grew in Abadan and began football in 1946.-Playing career:He initially to Jam Abadan in 1953... |
|
1967–69 | Hazfi Cup Hazfi Cup The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion.... :1969 Runner-up |
| Alan Rogers Alan Rogers (football manager) Alan Rogers was an English football manager who was Head-Coach of Persepolis F.C. between 1971 and 1974. Persepolis F.C., an Iranian football club then played in the Takht Jamshid Cup.... |
 |
1971–76 | Iran local league: 1971 Winner Takht Jamshid Cup Takht Jamshid Cup The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league... : 1973–74 Takht Jamshid Cup 1973-74 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... Winner – 1974–75 Takht Jamshid Cup 1974-75 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... Runner-up |
| Buyuk Vatankhah Buyuk Vatankhah Buyuk Vatankhah or Ezzatollah Vatankhah is a retired Iranian football player and currently a scouter. He has played in Rah Ahan F.C., Taj, Shahin F.C. and Persepolis F.C.. After he retired in 1972, he became manager of Persepolis F.C. U20 team and then selected as first-team manager in 1976... |
|
1976 | Takht Jamshid Cup Takht Jamshid Cup The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league... : 1975–76 Takht Jamshid Cup 1975-76 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... Winner |
| Ali Parvin Ali Parvin Ali Parvin , born September 25, 1947 in Tehran) is a retired Iranian football player, coach and a current administrator. He is one of the most famous footballers ever to play in Iran, and is regarded as one of the best from Iran.-Club career:... |
|
1980–93 1998-03 2005–06 |
Iran Pro League: 2001–02 Winner Azadegan League: 1998–99, 1999–00 Winners – 1992–93 Azadegan League 1992-93 The final results of the 1992/1993 Azadegan League, Iran's top division league, are listed bellow.-First round:Group AGroup B-Second round:The final standings of the 1992/1993 Azadegan League, *1.Pas Tehran... , 2000–01 Runners-up 17th of Shahrivar league 17th of Shahrivar league The following is the final results of the 17th of Shahrivar league's 1988/89 football season.-Results:-Top goalscorers:16 Goals Farshad Pious 8 Goals Samad Marfavi Mohammad Falahati... : 1989 Winner Qods League: 1990 Runner-up Tehran provincial league Tehran Football Competitions -Tehran Football League :-Tehran Hazfi Cup :... : 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988 Winners – 1981, 1983 Runner-up Tehran Hazfi Cup Tehran Football Competitions -Tehran Football League :-Tehran Hazfi Cup :... : 1982, 1987 Winners – 1981 Runner-up Hazfi Cup Hazfi Cup The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion.... : 1987, 1991, 1998–99 Hazfi Cup 1998-99 The Hazfi Cup 1998–99 was the 12th staging of Iran's football knockout competition.-Semifinals:-Final:- References :http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iran99.html... Winners Asian Cup Winners Cup Asian Cup Winners Cup The Asian Cup Winners' Cup was an association football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation . The competition was started in 1991 as a tournament for all the domestic cup winners from countries affiliated to the AFC... : 1991 Winner – 1993 Runner-up |
| Stanko Poklepović Stanko Poklepovic Stanko "Špaco" Poklepović is a Croatian football coach.-References:... |
 |
1994–97 | Azadegan League: 1995–96, 1996–97 Winners |
| Mustafa Denizli Mustafa Denizli Mustafa Denizli is a former Turkish football player and coach. He has won the Turkish League title five times, all with the 'Istanbul Big Three' . He is currently the only manager in history to win the Turkish league with three different clubs... |
 |
2006–07 | Hazfi Cup Hazfi Cup The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion.... : 2005–06 Runner-up |
| Afshin Ghotbi Afshin Ghotbi Afshin Ghotbi is an Iranian-American football coach and current head coach of the Japanese side Shimizu S-Pulse in J-League.-Early life:Though his family were from Shiraz, Mr. Afshin Ghotbi was born in the country's capital Tehran... |
 |
2007–08 | Iran Pro League: 2007–08 Persian Gulf Cup 2007-08 The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2007/08 football season. This season will be the 7th season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League... Winner |
| Ali Daei Ali Daei Ali Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches... |
|
2009–11 | Hazfi Cup Hazfi Cup The Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion.... : 2009–10, 2010–11 Winner |
IPL managers
Only IPLIran's Premier Football League
The Iran Pro League , is a professional football league competition for clubs located at the highest level of the Iranian football league system.The league system resembles the system being used in England currently...
matches are counted.
Last updated 22 November 2011.
| Name | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win% | Final Position | ||||
| Ali Parvin Ali Parvin Ali Parvin , born September 25, 1947 in Tehran) is a retired Iranian football player, coach and a current administrator. He is one of the most famous footballers ever to play in Iran, and is regarded as one of the best from Iran.-Club career:... |
|
June 2001 | June 2003 | 52 | 24 | 21 | 7 | 46% | (01–02) 1st, (02–03) 3rd |
| Vinko Begović Vinko Begovic Vinko Begović is a Croatian football coach.He has previously served as head coach of several clubs namely Foolad, Persepolis and Pegah Gilan of Iran, and Al-Wasl of the UAE. He was also manager of the Iran national under-23 football team for a short period in 2007.- Sources :... |
 |
August 2003 | September 2004 | 26 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 38% | 5th |
| Rainer Zobel Rainer Zobel Rainer Zobel is a former German football player and current football coach.- Coaching career :In 2005, Zobel was head coach of Persepolis F.C. in Iran's Premier Football League... |
 |
September 2004 | June 2005 | 30 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 53% | 4th |
| Ali Parvin | |
June 2005 | February 2006 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 33% | (05–06) (till week 21) 9th |
| Arie Haan |  |
February 2006 | May 2006 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 22% | (05–06) 9th |
| Mustafa Denizli Mustafa Denizli Mustafa Denizli is a former Turkish football player and coach. He has won the Turkish League title five times, all with the 'Istanbul Big Three' . He is currently the only manager in history to win the Turkish league with three different clubs... |
|
September 2006 | June 2007 | 30 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 47% | 3rd |
| Afshin Ghotbi Afshin Ghotbi Afshin Ghotbi is an Iranian-American football coach and current head coach of the Japanese side Shimizu S-Pulse in J-League.-Early life:Though his family were from Shiraz, Mr. Afshin Ghotbi was born in the country's capital Tehran... |
|
August 2007 | November 2008 | 48 | 24 | 15 | 9 | 50% | (07–08) 1st, (08–09) (till week 14) 4th |
| Afshin Peyrovani Afshin Peyrovani Mohammad Ali "Afshin" Peyravani is a retired Iranian footballer and a football coach. He is the younger brother of Gholam Peyrovani and elder brother of Amir Hossein Peyrovani.-Club career:... |
|
November 2008 | February 2009 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 55% | (08–09) (till week 25) 3rd |
| Nelo Vingada Nelo Vingada Eduardo Manuel Martinho Vingada, known as Nelo Vingada is a Portuguese football manager who currently manages Chinese Super League team Dalian Shide F.C.-Coaching career:... |
 |
February 2009 | May 2009 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 33% | (08–09) 5th |
| Zlatko Kranjčar Zlatko Kranjcar Zlatko "Cico" Kranjcar is a Croatian football manager and former striker. He is the currently head coach of Sepahan in Iran Pro League.-Club career:... |
|
July 2009 | December 2009 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 38% | (09–10) (till week 21) 3rd |
| Ali Daei Ali Daei Ali Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches... |
|
December 2009 | June 2011 | 47 | 22 | 12 | 13 | 46% | (09–10) 4th, (10–11) 4th |
| Hamid Estili | |
June 2011 | Present | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 36% | |
National titles
- Iranian Football LeagueIranian Football League-History:-Pre-1970s:Before the early 1970s Iran did not have an official national league. Most teams would participate in city championships. Taj1 and Persepolis2 had become the two most popular teams in the mid 60s and continue to be in the present...
(Record)
- Winners (8): 1971–72Local League 1971–72-Results:-Top goalscorers:-See also:...
1973–74Takht Jamshid Cup 1973-74-Results:-Top goalscorers:...
, 1975–76Takht Jamshid Cup 1975-76-Results:-Top goalscorers:...
, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2007–08 - Runners-Up (7): 1974–75Takht Jamshid Cup 1974-75-Results:-Top goalscorers:...
, 1976–77Takht Jamshid Cup 1976-77-Results:-Top goalscorers:...
, 1977–78Takht Jamshid Cup 1977-78-Results:-Top goalscorers:...
, 1989–90, 1992–93, 1993–94, 2000–01
- Hazfi CupHazfi CupThe Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
(Record)
- Winners (5): 1987–88Hazfi CupThe Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
, 1990–91Hazfi CupThe Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
, 1998–99Hazfi Cup 1998-99The Hazfi Cup 1998–99 was the 12th staging of Iran's football knockout competition.-Semifinals:-Final:- References :http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iran99.html...
, 2009–10, 2010–11 - Runners-Up (1): 2005–06
- Espandi Cup1979 Shahid Espandi CupShahid Espandi Cup was a nation-wide football tournament in Iran that was played in 1979 in a format of 5 Groups for the group stage followed by a second round and then semi-finals and final. The tournament was won by Persepolis F.C. of Tehran.-Group 2:...
- Winner: 1979
- Tehran provincial league
- Winners (6): 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988,1989,1990
- Runners-Up (3): 1981, 1983,1991
- Tehran Super CupTehran Football Competitions-Tehran Football League :-Tehran Hazfi Cup :...
- Winner : 1992
- Tehran Hazfi Cup
- Winners (3): 1979, 1982, 1987
- Runners-Up : 1981
Asian titles
- Asian Cup Winners CupAsian Cup Winners CupThe Asian Cup Winners' Cup was an association football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation . The competition was started in 1991 as a tournament for all the domestic cup winners from countries affiliated to the AFC...
- Winner: 1991Asian Cup Winners Cup 1991The 1990–91 Asian Cup Winners' Cup was the first edition of the continental football competition for cup winners of member nations of the AFC. Persepolis of Iran were duly crowned champions after defeating Muharraq of Bahrian 1:0 over two legs in the final....
* - Runner-Up: 1993
- (* First ever winners)
Unofficial titles
Vahdat International Cup1981 Vahdat International Cup
Vahdat International Cup was an international football tournament hosted by Iran that was played in Tehran in 1981. Vahdat means Unity. This tournament's participants were teams from Iran and friend countries such as Algeria, Syria and Libya....
- Winner: 1981
Sharjah
Sharjah (city)
Sharjah is the third largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. It is located along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula.Sharjah is the seat of government of the emirate of Sharjah...
Friendship Cup
- Winner: 1995
Al-Nasr International Tournament
2009 Al-Nasr International Tournament
The 2009 Al-Nasr International Tournament is a friendly football tournament that takes place in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.-Participant teams:- Semifinals :-Third place Match:-Final:-Champion:-External links:*...
- Runner-Up: 2009
Velayat International Cup
Velayat International Cup
Velayat International Cup was an international football tournament hosted by Iran that was played in Tehran-Group A:-Group B:-Final:- 2011 :...
- Winner: 20112011 Velayat International CupThe 2011 Velayat Cup was a friendly football tournament that took place in Tehran in the Iran in November 2011.-Participating teams:Totally 3 teams get permission to participate in the tournament “2011 Velayat Cup”.* Persepolis from * Nacional from...
Honours
- IFFHS continental Clubs of the 20th century : 4th Place
- Iranian Team of the year
- 2007–08Persian Gulf Cup 2007-08The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2007/08 football season. This season will be the 7th season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League...
- Best Team Month Football Asia
- February 1998
Individual honours
Asian Young Footballer of the YearAsian Young Footballer of the Year
The Asian Young Footballer of the Year award is presented to the best young football player from AFC. Officially awarded since 1995.- Winners :-Wins By Country:-See also:* Asian Footballer of the Year* AFC...
- The following player have won the Asian Young Footballer of the Year award while playing for Persepolis: 1997 – Mehdi MahdavikiaMehdi MahdavikiaMehdi Mahdavikia is an Iranian football player who plays for Damash Gilan in the Iranian Pro League. He has won Asian Young Footballer of the Year award in 1997, as well as Asian Footballer of the Year in 2003. He was the captain of the Iran national football team from 2006 to 2009, and currently...
IFFHS' World's Best Goal Scorers of the Year
- The following players were worlds best International Goalscorer (national + Club) while playing for Persepolis: 1996 – Ali DaeiAli DaeiAli Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
(22 goals) 2004 – Ali DaeiAli DaeiAli Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
(17 goals) 1997 – Karim BagheriKarim BagheriKarim Bagheri is a retired professional Iranian player, most notably playing for Persepolis in the Iran Pro League. He was known as a two-footed midfielder and is famous for his powerful and thundering long range shots and free kicks.-Early years:...
Second (20 goals)
Asian Footballer of the Year
Asian Footballer of the Year
The Asian Footballer of the Year is an award that annually honors Asian footballer each year, has been conferred by Asian Football Confederation since 1994...
- The following players have won the Asian Footballer of the Year award after playing for Persepolis: 1999 – Ali DaeiAli DaeiAli Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
2003 – Mehdi MahdavikiaMehdi MahdavikiaMehdi Mahdavikia is an Iranian football player who plays for Damash Gilan in the Iranian Pro League. He has won Asian Young Footballer of the Year award in 1997, as well as Asian Footballer of the Year in 2003. He was the captain of the Iran national football team from 2006 to 2009, and currently...
2004 – Ali KarimiAli KarimiMohammad Ali Karimi Pashaki better known as Ali Karimi, is an Iranian professional footballer who is currently playing for Persepolis in Iran Pro League. He was awarded the Asian Footballer of the Year in 2004.... - The following players were in contention for the Asian Footballer of the Year while playing for Persepolis: 1990 – Farshad PiousFarshad PiousFarshad Pious is a retired Iranian football player who was a striker for a number of clubs in Iran, most notably Persepolis F.C., as well as Iran national football team.-Club career:...
Runner-up 1996 – Ali DaeiAli DaeiAli Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
Runner-up 1997 – Khodadad AziziKhodadad AziziKhodadad Azizi is an Iranian retired professional football striker and a current coach.-International career:Azizi represented Iran at the 1996 Asian cup, 1998 FIFA World Cup, and the 2000 Asian Cup...
Runner-up 1997 – Karim BagheriKarim BagheriKarim Bagheri is a retired professional Iranian player, most notably playing for Persepolis in the Iran Pro League. He was known as a two-footed midfielder and is famous for his powerful and thundering long range shots and free kicks.-Early years:...
Second Runner-up
Iran World Cup captains
- The following players have won the Iran World Cup captains title while playing for Persepolis: 1978 – Ali ParvinAli ParvinAli Parvin , born September 25, 1947 in Tehran) is a retired Iranian football player, coach and a current administrator. He is one of the most famous footballers ever to play in Iran, and is regarded as one of the best from Iran.-Club career:...
1998 – Ahmad Reza AbedzadehAhmad Reza AbedzadehAhmadreza Abedzadeh is a retired Iranian football goalkeeper. He played for Esteghlal F.C., Sepahan F.C., Persepolis F.C. and the Iranian national football team.Abedzadeh is one of the best known goalkeepers in Iranian football history... - The following players have won Iran World Cup captains title after playing for Persepolis: 2006 – Ali DaeiAli DaeiAli Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
AFC Asian Cup MVP Award
- The following player have won the AFC Asian Cup MVP Award award while playing for Persepolis: 1996 – Khodadad AziziKhodadad AziziKhodadad Azizi is an Iranian retired professional football striker and a current coach.-International career:Azizi represented Iran at the 1996 Asian cup, 1998 FIFA World Cup, and the 2000 Asian Cup...
Statistics and records
Ali ParvinAli Parvin
Ali Parvin , born September 25, 1947 in Tehran) is a retired Iranian football player, coach and a current administrator. He is one of the most famous footballers ever to play in Iran, and is regarded as one of the best from Iran.-Club career:...
holds the record for Persepolis appearances with 341, having played between 1970 and 1988, while Afshin Peyrovani
Afshin Peyrovani
Mohammad Ali "Afshin" Peyravani is a retired Iranian footballer and a football coach. He is the younger brother of Gholam Peyrovani and elder brother of Amir Hossein Peyrovani.-Club career:...
holds the league appearances records with 209, playing from 1993 to 2004.
The record for a goalkeeper is held by Vahid Ghelich
Vahid Ghelich
Vahid Ghelich born December 16, 1957 in Tehran is a retired Iranian footballer.-References:...
, with 176 appearances. The record for total Persepolis appearances among current players is held by captain Karim Bagheri
Karim Bagheri
Karim Bagheri is a retired professional Iranian player, most notably playing for Persepolis in the Iran Pro League. He was known as a two-footed midfielder and is famous for his powerful and thundering long range shots and free kicks.-Early years:...
with 172 appearances and 23 goals.
With 149 caps, Ali Daei
Ali Daei
Ali Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
of Iran is Persepolis' most capped international player. Farshad Pious
Farshad Pious
Farshad Pious is a retired Iranian football player who was a striker for a number of clubs in Iran, most notably Persepolis F.C., as well as Iran national football team.-Club career:...
is the club's all time top goalscorer in all competitions with 153 goals in 211 matches, playing between 1985 and 1998.
Persepolis set Iran the highest division League records for most wins (9) and most runners-up (7).
Ownership
In May 2009, in the run-up to the 2009 presidential electionIranian presidential election, 2009
Iran's tenth presidential election was held on 12 June 2009, with incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad running against three challengers. The next morning the Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran's official news agency, announced that with two-thirds of the votes counted, Ahmadinejad had won the election...
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that the club will be privatized. It is expected that the transfer of the club to private investors will be a long process, largely due to problems with the club's financial documents and the debts that the club has accumulated that make it unable to be listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange
Tehran Stock Exchange
The Tehran Stock Exchange is Iran's largest stock exchange, which first opened in 1967. The TSE is based in Tehran. As of July 2010, 337 companies with a market capitalization of US$72 billion were listed on TSE...
. Shares for the club can be sold on the OTC
Over-the-counter (finance)
Within the derivatives markets, many products are traded through exchanges. An exchange has the benefit of facilitating liquidity and also mitigates all credit risk concerning the default of a member of the exchange. Products traded on the exchange must be well standardised to transparent trading....
market once it has removed all of its financial ambiguities.
The purchase of the club has been linked with UAE-based Iranian businessman Sirous Mahjoob, who may also be interested in buying Newcastle United. Mahjoob was said to be willing to buy the club immediately for $50 million dollars and claimed to have previously invested into the club under the reign of chairman Akbar Ghamkhar
Akbar Ghamkhar
Akbar Ghamkhar was the chairman of famous multisport club Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club based in Tehran, Iran between August 2002 and July 2004.-References:...
.
Sponsorship
- Main sponsor: City Bank
- Official sponsor: Jahan Profile Pars
- Official sponsor: Sapco Achievements
- Official shirt manufacturer: UhlsportUhlsportUhlsport is a manufacturer of football equipment. Based in Germany and founded in 1948, the company's products include goalkeeper gloves, football boots, shin pads, footballs, training clothes, and kits....
- Official sponsor: Iran Aseman AirlinesIran Aseman AirlinesIran Aseman Airlines is an airline based in Tehran, Iran, operating scheduled domestic and regional flights within the Persian Gulf area, as well as charter and air taxi services...
- Official sponsor: Shahrvand Chain StoresShahrvand Chain Stores Inc.Shahrvand Supermarkets is an Iranian supermarket chain based in Tehran. The establishment has currently 25 branches across in Tehran.Shahrvand, along with Refah supermarket, and Carrefour-owned Hyperstar Market, create the bulk of the Iranian relail industry....
- Official water: Damavand Mineral Water Co.
- Internet service: Saman Systems
IPL Shirt sponsors and manufacturers
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Nahangi Jouraban |
Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo... ,  NECNEC , a Japanese multinational IT company, has its headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. NEC, part of the Sumitomo Group, provides information technology and network solutions to business enterprises, communications services providers and government.... , Tidi |
| 2002–03 | Jouraban Daei SWE Daei Sport's Wears & Equipments Daei Sport's Wears & Equipments is a major Iranian manufacturer of apparel, and sports equipment. It is owned and was founded by Iranian football legend Ali Daei and provides football kits for Iran national football team, Iran's Premier Football League teams.... |
 SamsungSamsung Group The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea... |
| 2003–04 | ParsTV |
|
| 2004–05 | Nahangi |
Jaguar Delster (Non Alcoholic Beer) |
| 2005–06 |  BOMBA, Dariush Grand HotelDariush Grand Hotel The Dariush Grand Hotel is a 168-room, $125 million, five star hotel located on the eastern part of Kish Island in the Persian Gulf.-Establishment:... Shahr Aftab, Giordano |
|
| 2006–07 Persepolis F.C. season 2006-07 This is a list of Persepolis F.C.s results at the 2006/2007 Season. The club is competing in the Iran Pro League.-Persepolis schedule IPL 2006/07:-Results by round:-Results summary:-League standings:... |
Hessari |
Mahan Air Mahan Air Mahan Airlines, doing business as Mahan Air, is a private airline based in the Mahan Air Tower in Tehran, Iran. It operates scheduled domestic services and international flights to the Far East, Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe... , ECUT, MTN IrancellMTN Irancell Irancell is the second mobile phone network operator of Iran. It is 49% owned by the South Africa-based MTN Group.MTN Irancell operates on GSM 900/1800 and is the first network operator of Iran which provides GPRS and MMS service and will let subscribers choose their desired number from between... |
| 2007–08 | Uhlsport Uhlsport Uhlsport is a manufacturer of football equipment. Based in Germany and founded in 1948, the company's products include goalkeeper gloves, football boots, shin pads, footballs, training clothes, and kits.... |
City Credit Cooperative(CCC), Shahrvand Chain Stores Shahrvand Chain Stores Inc. Shahrvand Supermarkets is an Iranian supermarket chain based in Tehran. The establishment has currently 25 branches across in Tehran.Shahrvand, along with Refah supermarket, and Carrefour-owned Hyperstar Market, create the bulk of the Iranian relail industry.... |
| 2008–09 |  MarrybrownMarrybrown Marrybrown Restaurant is a Malaysia based fast food chain.Established in 1981, they now have over 250 outlets serving Fried Chicken, Burgers, Seafood, Rice Base Products, Noodles, Porridge, Finger Foods, Desserts and Beverages. In 1980s Marrybrown became the first local fast food chain to franchise... |
|
| 2009–10 | Behgol Tehran Municipality |
|
| 2010–11 | City Bank |
|
| 2011–12 | City Bank, Opel Opel Adam Opel AG, generally shortened to Opel, is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862. Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaft in 1929... |