Kambiz Atabay: The Visionary Leader Who Elevated Iranian Football

Even after his departure, the systems Atabay built continued to sustain Iranian football for decades. His insistence on structured leagues, youth development, and clear management principles became part of the sport’s DNA in the country. Many of his successors—from Daryoush Mostafavi to Ali Kafashian—would openly refer to him as the best president in the history of Iranian football.