TEHRAN - To mark the Iranian New Year, former Team Melli coach Carlos Queiroz issued a message conveying his well wishes for Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

The Portuguese coach currently is in Japan to lead his new team Colombia in a friendly match against Japan, slated for Friday at the Yokohama Stadium.

“From Japan to all my Persian friends. Happy Persian New Year! Nowruz Mobarak!” Queiroz posted on his Instagram account.

Queiroz left Iran after eight years in late January.

Under guidance of the former Real Madrid coach, Iran reached back-to-back World Cup tournaments.