Iran national football coach Carlos Queiroz resigns

Iran national football coach Carlos Queiroz resigns Iran national team coach Carlos Queiroz resigned Saturday, citing a lack of support from the Iranian Football Federation amid a club vs country row. The former Real Madrid and Portugal coach took Iran to its fourth World Cup in 2014 and the team is top of its qualifying group for Russia 2018. Iran is ranked No. 29 by FIFA, the highest in Asia,

and was unbeaten in 2016.with a place at what would be a first-ever successive World Cup appearance within sight, Queiroz announced on social media that he had handed in his resignation.

Queiroz resigned multiple times since his appointment in 2011 only to return to the post, but the 63-year-old coach told The Associated Press that he is serious this time around.

"The federation says it does not have the authority to implement the program of preparation to qualify for the 2018 World Cup that was agreed upon last year," Queiroz told the AP. "What then can I do?"

A federation representative could not be reached for comment.

The current row was brought to a head during a training camp held by the national team in the United Arab Emirates at the start of the year.

Branko Ivankovic,, head coach of leading Iranian club Persepolis and Iran's national team coach at the 2006 World Cup, complained about losing seven players during the middle of the domestic season.

"Queiroz has invited our key players to the training camp while Persepolis should prepare for the AFC Champions League," Ivankovic, who has clashed with his successor in the past, was quoted as saying in Iranian media. The Croatian added that he would hold Queiroz responsible if Persepolis failed to progress past the first round of the Asian club competition.