Carlos Queiroz Out of Running for Leeds United Job After Accepting New Iran Deal

Former Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz will sign a new contract with the Iranian national team, ending speculation linking him with the vacant manager's role at Leeds United.

Queiroz, 61, emerged as a shock candidate for the role at Elland Road following owner Massimo Cellino's decision to sack David Hockaday just six matches into his tenure.

Cellino has already indicated the search for a new manager will be an extended process. Former West Brom boss Steve Clarke, current caretaker manager Neil Redfearn and former strikers Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink remain in the running for the position, but former Real Madrid coach Queiroz has now ruled himself out.

"The contract with the head coach of Iranian national football team will be signed before Monday, probably on Sunday," Abbas Torabian, head of the economic committee of the Iranian football federation, told ISNA news agency.

"Queiroz sent his positive response through email last night and he is supposed to travel to Iran as soon as possible to sign the contract."

Queiroz, who served as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Old Trafford for spells in 2002-03 and 2004-08, guided Iran to the World Cup in Brazil this summer, where they provided stubborn resistance against Nigeria, Argentina and Bosnia before eventually finishing at the foot of their group.

Current manager Redfearn won his first match in charge of the west Yorkshire club against Bolton Wanderers and despite the growing interest in the permanent role from other candidates, Cellino is prepared to give the former head coach time to stake his claim for the job.

"I've decided to leave the team to Neil. For the moment it is the best thing to do," Cellino told BBC Leeds.

"At the moment too many coaches call me and I'm confused. I think it is best to keep going with a Leeds man right now, that knows football and makes the team play in a beautiful way."

Cellino is facing fresh controversy after the Football League announced they would force the owner to sell his majority share of the club, should the Italian courts reject his appeal against a conviction for tax evasion.