Homayoun Behzadi (Persian: همایون بهزادی; 20 June 1942 – 22 January 2016) was an Iranian footballer and coach. He usually played as a striker.
Early life
He was born on 4 January 1942 in Khorramabad, Lorestan Province. Behzadi first broke into the Shahin side when he was only 16 years old. He played for Shahin until 1966, when due to financial problems Shahin FC dissolved. He is graduated in Persian language.
Playing career
Club career
In 1967, he changed to Persepolis. In spring 1968, he changed to Peykan. There he won the Tehran Championship in 1968 before changing to Persepolis in 1969. There he won the Iranian league in 1972 as well as in 1974.
International career
In 1966 he won the silver medal of the Asian Games in Thailand. He won the Asian Nations Cup with Iran in 1968 – when he scored 4 goals in 4 matches, also the equalizer in the final match, which led to 2–1 victory against Israel (and to become one of the tournament's top scorer). He also won the Asian Nations Cup with Iran in 1972.
Coaching career
Before his starting his coaching career, he trained Persepolis in the absence of manager Alan Rogers, when he was part of the team. After he retired in 1975, he became caretaker head coach of the club after resignation of Rogers. He starts a project in Persepolis that held in next years to decrease the age of the first team squad. His first match as the Persepolis match was a friendly against Malavan which won 3–1. His first official match was a loss to Rah Ahan. After that, Persepolis won and drew twice, then faced to the rivals, Taj (now Esteghlal) in Tehran derby. He lost the match 3–1, but after the match he claimed that Taj players drugs before the match. It was later rejected. He was banned for two months and was replaced with Buyuk Vatankhah. After he was sacked as Persepolis head coach, he was manager of Shahbaz B team for more than ten years.
Homayoun Behzadi scoring a goal against Taj (Esteghlal) during the well-known Shishtayiha Match in Tehran derby
Membership in Persepolis Hall of Fame
He was named as one of the members of Persepolis F.C. Hall of Fame and the club thanked him for his great performance during his senior career at Persepolis. The club gave him a statue of his face and named him as one of the twelve great players of Persepolis in the 1970s.[1][2][3][4]
Illness and death
He suffered a heart attack and was transferred to Tehran hospital in April 2013. After two days, he was transferred to Day hospital and his personal doctor announced that his general health is good. He was released on 12 May 2013.
On 22 January 2016, Behzadi died in his home at the age of 74.
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