TEHRANTIMES - Persepolis football coach Manuel Jose asked the Persepolis fans to support the team until the end of the final whistle.

“The fans are right since we have not played good in the previous matches but I ask them please let our players play until the end of the match. Afterward, they are free to attack us,” Manuel Jose said in the Persepolis–Paykan pre-match news conference on Tuesday.

“I understand they are angry with us but it’s so important they trust us. Persepolis players need concentration. We will have to do our best against Paykan and defeat them,” the 66-year-old said.

The Persepolis coach once again kept quiet on the subject of Ali Karimi, who has been out of the team since September.

“I respect your opinions but I’d rather not talk about him,” Jose said.

Manual Jose has backed Persepolis strikers following their poor performances.

“Our strikers are under pressure and that make it hard for them,” he said.