Impact of market value, roster size, arrivals and departures on performance in Iranian men’s football

This research aims to study the effect of the sustainable management of human resources on performance. It examines the impact of market value, roster size, arrivals and departures on team performance in football. Regressions are tested based on data from clubs in the Persian Gulf Pro League—the first tier in Iranian men’s football—over 2009–2022 (n = 216 observations). The results show that market value has a significant positive impact on team performance roster size and arrivals a significant negative impact, and departures no significant impact. When distinguishing departures between teams with a roster size below 33 players vs. 33 players and more, departures for roster size below 33 players have a significant positive impact vs. no impact for 33 players and more. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to distinguish arrivals and departures when looking at staff turnover in football. It informs the need for a sustainable roster (not too many arrivals) and roster size (not too high) to perform on the pitch. The article highlights that departures can help reach a more sustainable roster size (if too high) and a better team performance, while also contributing to a sustainable financial management