Iran has brought back Carlos Queiroz as head coach just two months before the start of the 2022 World Cup.
Queiroz coached Iran between 2011 and 2019, taking the country to the World Cup in 2014 and 2018.
Iran will hope Queiroz will bring some stability after a tumultuous period under previous coach Dragan Skočić, who was removed from his position twice in a two-month span.
Skočić was originally fired in July, but widespread protests saw the Croatian reinstated just days later. The Iranian federation would offer no such reprieve this time around.
Skočić led Iran to a 8W-1D-1L record in 10 World Cup qualifiers, but his time in charge of the team was filled with reported conflicts with some of his top players.
After leaving his post with Iran in 2019, Queiroz coached Colombia and Egypt, adding to a lengthy coaching career that also included a stint in MLS with the then-NY/NJ MetroStars, Real Madrid, and his native Portugal, which he took to the 2010 World Cup.
Iran was drawn in Group B at the World Cup, where it will face England (Nov. 21), Wales (Nov. 25) and the United States (Nov. 29).
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