‘Mr World Cup’ Queiroz basking in rare glory
Seoul: Carlos Queiroz was once Alex Ferguson’s formidable number two at Manchester United, but he has now carved out a new reputation: the man who can take your team to the World Cup.
After Queiroz’s Iran became only the second team to qualify for Russia 2018, he is savouring the unique feat of reaching four World Cups with three different teams.
It’s a record that hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Asian champions Australia reportedly interested in Queiroz’s services once Ange Postecoglou departs next year.
“I feel very proud and honoured with that (World Cup) achievement,” the grizzled Portuguese said.
“Other coaches have qualified four times but not with different teams.”
The former Real Madrid boss has now qualified with South Africa in 2002, Portugal in 2010 — leading them to the last 16 — and now twice with Iran, after he also took them to Brazil 2014.
This month’s 2-0 win over Uzbekistan made Iran the first Asian team to qualify for Russia, clinching top spot in Group A with two games to spare — and without a single goal conceded in 720 minutes of football.
On top of that, Iran, who will now contest back-toback World Cups for the first time, have been Asia’s number one team in the Fifa rankings for four years, helped by a growing number of players succeeding in Europe.
Walter Winterbottom took England to four successive World Cups starting from 1950, a record that was equalled by West Germany’s Helmut Schon from 1966 to 1978. Oscar Tabarez could make it four with Uruguay if the South Americans reach Russia.
But nobody has done it with three different countries, apart from Mozambique-born Queiroz.
“To do it with these different countries, cultures and mentalities is at least, unique,” Queiroz said.
“Each country has its own challenges, its own strengths and weaknesses.”