Under his leadership, the Takht Jamshid League introduced more organized club competition, media coverage, coaching education, refereeing courses, and overall modernization of sport infrastructure nationwide. The establishment of this league represented not only a major step forward for domestic football — it also laid a foundation for long-term competitive club football. The national team secured important continental victories — including the 1976 AFC Asian Cup, which contributed to strong standing in Asia under his leadership.
Beyond just results, Atabay prioritized institutional development — focusing on coaching education, refereeing courses, media coverage, archiving matches and records — an organized approach to build long-term foundations for the sport. After the 1979 revolution, with major political and social upheaval, Atabay left the country. Even after leaving, his legacy remains — many refer to his administration as the period that brought professionalism, vision, and international prestige to Iranian football.
