Kuala Lumpur, November 11 (QNA) - Carlos Queirozs return to the helm of the Islamic Republic of Iran may have come late in the day, but the former Real Madrid head coachs influence has already been felt within a team that has become synonymous with the Portuguese tactician.

AFC's website highlighted that the Iranian team and Queiroz have become entwined with one another over the last decade, with the 69-year-old leading the Iranians to the FIFA World Cup Finals in both 2014 and 2018 as he forged a unique bond with one of Asias leading footballing nations.

Queirozs coaching pedigree is unquestioned, according to AFC. He guided his native Portugal to back-to-back FIFA World Youth Championship titles in 1989 and 1991, the former goalkeeper came to global prominence when he was appointed assistant coach by Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2002.

After a solitary season he was on his way to Spain, taking over for a 12-month stint at the Estadio Santigao Bernabeu before leaving Real Madrid to return to Manchester United, where over the next four years he played an instrumental role in a run that yielded two Premier League titles and the 2008 UEFA Champions League crown. (QNA)