fc-perspolis - TEHRAN, The head coach of Persepolis said: "Next year, I can say we will play good football. I do not accept defeat. I will build a team that fights well on the pitch. I also thank the club president for his support and for providing the necessary resources."

According to the official website of Persepolis FC, Ismail Kartal said at the post-match press conference after the final game of the season:

“Today was our last match. We played well and created good chances. We scored two goals—albeit late—but in the end, we secured the three points. We could have finished second in the league, but we ended up third due to goal difference, despite having equal points with our rival.”

Kartal praised the fans:

“Those who came to the stadium supported us throughout the game. I thank them. I also thank the club president and staff. Although Havadar had already been relegated, they were a good team and played well over time.”

He criticized Havadar's playing style:

“If Iranian football wants to develop, teams must play fluidly, not slow the game down. Today, Havadar’s players had no complaints and played very well. They could have even won—but they played proper football. Some of their players were falling down to waste time. I wish their team success.”

Kartal praised Havadar’s young winger:

“The left midfielder named [Mohammad Hossein] Sadeghi caught my attention. Let’s see what happens with him—I have some ideas! After the match, I told him he played very well. I asked his age—he said 20. I told him to stay on this path.”

On developing young talent, he said:

“These players are like our children. Today, Yaghoub Barajeh scored. Young players make mistakes, but he improved every week. That’s how we must develop these kids.”

Regarding transfer activity:

“About 1.5 months ago, we submitted our list of domestic and foreign targets to the club. The board has been working hard. I’ll return to Turkey to think seriously about players who don't want to stay at Persepolis.”

When asked if any young players impressed him:

“How many young players played today? Three. They are gradually adapting to the team, and eventually they’ll earn their spot. Others will replace them over time.”

On balancing youth and experience:

“You can’t always start games with young players. We need a balanced squad—a mix of experience and youth. The team shouldn't be too old or too young.”

On handling transfers and talks with players:

“Talking to players is not my job. I’ve submitted three lists to the board. If I get involved in that, people may get the wrong idea. I’ve never interfered in such matters. That stuff is dirty.”

About his life in Iran:

“Many people follow Iranian football. If I go back to Turkey, I’ll tell them what football in Iran is really like. Before, they were scared and thought bad things. But I’ll tell them how safe Iran is. Even the smallest thing happens, and they ask me what’s going on—as if there’s been a bomb. They exaggerate everything.”

When asked if he accepts responsibility for next season’s results:

“In football, you can’t make promises. You need good planning, proper players, good camps and facilities. Through training, we must instill our football philosophy. That philosophy needs time to settle in.”

He added:

“I do all of the above. But if I say ‘we’ll become champions,’ it sounds like magic. I’ve never promised anyone a championship in my life. However, I assure you we’ll play good football and I won’t easily accept defeat. We’ll build a team that fights hard—morning, noon, and night.”

On team facilities:

“I promise we’ll build a strong team. In the 4–5 months I’ve been here, I only went to Turkey twice—that shows how much work there is. For a team to grow and win championships, their training ground must be like a carpet. Previously, Persepolis trained on poor fields. I spoke to Darvish and the board and said we can’t work like this. We have two training fields—twice I personally watered them. We even brought in equipment from Isfahan to improve the field.”

On the current state of facilities:

“Now our training pitch is like a carpet. The players enjoy training. That’s why [Soheil] Sahraei played so well today—he’s been progressing and today was his final test.”

On his collaboration with club president Reza Darvish:

“I came to Iran with Darvish. He has supported us a lot. I thank him, the board, and the club staff. They saw our discipline and how we train. There’s mutual respect between us. We’re working to make Persepolis better.”

On transfers:

“With good players, you can play good football. I’ve given the club my list of targets. We’ll try to bring in quality players.”

Regarding the future of veteran Omid Alishah:

“At the moment, I can’t say anything. I’ve already submitted my list to the club—those players are known. When I go back to Turkey and relax with my family, I’ll inform Darvish about the players I don’t want.”