Tehran – Iran has reiterated its interest in hiring Carlos Queiroz of Portugal as national team coach, news reports said on Sunday.

The former Portugal, South Africa and Real Madrid coach was in Tehran last month to finalize a deal and had even appointed his three assistants. But he eventually rejected the job, reportedly because his family members were not ready to live in Iran.

According to the Iranian football federation (FFI), Queiroz is however once again one of the top options for the job and scheduled to come to Tehran again next month for further talks.

Iran’s main aim is to reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after missing the 2010 edition in South Africa and being knocked out of the Asian Cup in the quarter-finals by South Korea two months ago.

Critics say that Iran has become a second class team in Asia and needs a first-class coach to reach the level of Asian champions Japan, South Korea and Australia.

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