It was his first stop
Ex-Bayern professional fired as coach after just eight games
Updated 10/26/2025 – 2:55 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
A former FC Bayern offensive player experienced a very short stint as head coach in Iran. After just eight games it’s already over for him.
His involvement with the country’s most popular club ended faster than expected: Vahid Hashemian is no longer head coach of FC Persepolis. The 49-year-old former FC Bayern offensive player was released after just eight league games. The club management thus drew conclusions from the disappointing sporting results. Only two wins in this phase were not enough for the capital club’s title ambitions.
As Iranian media consistently report, Osmar Loss Vieira is already ready as his successor. The Brazilian should take on responsibility in the future and lead the ambitious club back onto the road to success.
Hashemian took over the position in July – it was his first position as a head coach in professional football. The former international striker had previously worked as an assistant coach for the Iranian national team for three years, including alongside Marc Wilmots. At Persepolis he was now tasked with providing new impetus with a game idea shaped by his many years of experience in Germany. The expectations were high, but the sporting development fell short of hopes.
Criticism of his work has recently grown – also in public. Nevertheless, the club offered him the opportunity to work as sports director in the future. So far, however, Hashemian has shown no interest in this role.
The former Bundesliga professional, who was active in Germany for Hamburger SV, VfL Bochum, FC Bayern and Hannover 96, ended his playing career in 2012 – at Persepolis, of all places, his current ex-employer. He won the double with FC Bayern in 2005. Hashemian made his breakthrough in the Bundesliga at VfL Bochum, where he also had his strongest phase. In total he played 208 Bundesliga games and scored 38 goals. He played 50 times for the Iranian national team.