On 1 June 2011, it was announced that he is one of the candidates for coaching Persepolis, alongside Hamid Derakhshan and the current coach, Hazfi Cup winner Ali Daei. Chairman of the club, Habib Kashani, launched a "Technical Committee" consisting of Bijan Zolfagharnasab, Mohammad Panjali and Mohammad Zadmehr to select the next coach among the three. Daei exposed his proposal for 2011–12 season to the club, but he was unable to remain in the club due to tensions with Habib Kashani. Technical Committee stated a condition for Daei: "Daei Should communicate properly with Kashani", which he rejected.