Queiroz u-turns, negotiating new contract to lead Iran

The Mozambique-born coach said after Iran's group stage exit at the World Cup in Brazil last month he would quit the three-times Asian champions.





But the former Real Madrid, Portugal and South Africa coach is close to signing a new deal that would see him lead the team at the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia in January.

"We have to negotiate about the contract in the details. I wish to stay as Iran coach," Queiroz told the Tehran Times.

"The Iranians will always stay in my heart. I like to continue my job but the deal has not yet finalised."

The paper said the deal would be completed on Aug. 1.

Queiroz took over in 2011 and helped Iran qualify for their fourth World Cup by instilling steely defence and cleverly scouring the Iranian diaspora for attacking players.

It wasn't enough to progress to the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time, as they exited following a draw with Nigeria and losses to Argentina and Bosnia.

The 61-year-old had said he would step down reluctantly as he hadn't received a concrete offer from the Iranian Federation.

"I fell in love with them (the players). But you can’t have a marriage when only one person wants to stay married," he said after the 3-1 loss to Bosnia.

Finances were believed to be part of the reason Queiroz had not been offered a new deal, though Iran were awarded $8 million in prize money for competing in Brazil.





(Reporting by Patrick Johnston; Editing by Ian Ransom)


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world