Fekri, who has most recently coached Nassaji Mazandaran, was a member of Esteghlal club as a player in two stints.
Foolad coach Javad Nekounam, ex-Esteghlal coach Farhad Majidi and German-Iranian trainer Alexander Nouri also were among the candidates.
Majidi parted ways with Esteghlal in early September and his assistant Majid Namjoo Motlagh headed the team in the 2020 AFC Champions League preliminary round, where Esteghlal failed to qualify for Round of 16.
The new edition of the Iran Professional League (IPL), also known as Persian Gulf Premier League, will begin on Oct. 31