Socceroos set to hire Carlos Queiroz: Report

December 8, 2017 - 10:0

Football Federation Australia has reportedly shown interest in hiring Iran national team head coach Carlos Queiroz as a replacement for Ange Postecoglou.

After leading Iran to their second straight World Cup for the first time ever, having previously coached South Africa and Portugal at football’s pinnacle event, Queiroz’s six year spell in charge of Team Melli could soon end, Foxsports.com.au reported.

A source close to Queiroz has told the Australian site that disagreements with the Iranian football federation have gone public and could seal his coaching fate.

In Group B of the 2018 World Cup, Iran have been drawn along with Spain, Portugal and Morocco, the third toughest group going off world rankings.

Regular local training camps and increased funding to arrange high profile friendlies against top nations is what Queiroz is after, leading the 64-year-old to make a staggering public ultimatum this week – back him financially, or sack him.

Iran under Queiroz’s tutelage were the first Asian country to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, sailing through their group ahead of regional powerhouses South Korea, conceding just twice in and going undefeated.

Postecoglou quit as head coach a week after Australia secured its spot for the World Cup in Russia, following a qualifying run of 22 games including an Asian playoff against Syria and an intercontinental playoff against Honduras.

Postecoglou took over in late 2013 and guided the Socceroos at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and to the country's first Asian Cup title in 2015.

The selection panel will include former Australia players Mark Schwarzer, Mark Bresciano and Stan Lazaridis.