Former Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz takes charge of Colombia
Queiroz left Iran after Asian Cup semi-final defeat last month
Thursday 7 February 2019 20:35, UK
Former Portugal and Real Madrid boss Carlos Queiroz has been named the new head coach of Colombia.
Queiroz, who also had two stints as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United, was unveiled at a news conference in Bogota on Thursday.
He replaces Jose Pekerman, who left the job after Colombia were knocked out of the World Cup by England on penalties at the last-16 stage last July.
Queiroz, 65, said he would hire local coaches to help him get started in the job.
And he highlighted the importance of Colombia's big-name players such as playmaker James Rodriguez, striker Radamel Falcao and goalkeeper David Ospina.
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"These players are the core, the soul of the national team," he said.
"They are an important part of my analysis and my selections.
"My mission is to improve in all fields. We're going to be demanding."
The well-travelled Queiroz has also coached Iran, Portuguese side Sporting and South Africa.
His first match in charge of Colombia will be away to Japan - the same side who knocked his Iran team out of the Asian Cup semi-finals last month - on March 22.
