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Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant, Carlos Queiroz, has enjoyed a long and distinguished coaching career that has taken him across continents and through some of football’s biggest stages.

The 73-year-old Portuguese tactician is currently managing Ghana at the 2026 World Cup, marking his fifth consecutive appearance at the tournament as a head coach. Previously, he guided Portugal in 2010, Iran in 2014, 2018, and 2022, and now leads the Black Stars in this latest edition.

Interestingly, Queiroz also helped South Africa qualify for the 2002 World Cup, though he resigned before the tournament began in Japan and South Korea. His extensive experience at football’s grandest event is just one aspect of a career rich with milestones.

For many in England, Queiroz is best remembered for his two stints as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United. The former goalkeeper first joined Old Trafford for the 2002/03 season after managing a variety of sides including Portugal’s under-20s, the senior Portugal team, Sporting CP, NY/NJ Metrostars, Nagoya Grampus Eight, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.

His impressive work at Manchester United earned him the attention of Real Madrid, who appointed him as manager in the summer of 2003. At the Santiago Bernabéu, he oversaw a star-studded squad featuring Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Raul, Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Claude Makelele, and David Beckham.

However, Real Madrid endured a disappointing campaign by their lofty standards, finishing fourth in La Liga, losing the Copa del Rey final to Real Zaragoza, and suffering a shock Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Monaco.

Queiroz subsequently returned to Manchester United, where he stayed for another four years. During this period, he played a crucial role in rebuilding the team around Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, contributing to their Champions League triumph in the 2007/08 season.

Despite his success, Queiroz was not universally liked within the club. Midfielder Roy Keane famously clashed with him, a dispute that reportedly influenced Keane’s decision to leave Old Trafford.

After departing United, Queiroz focused solely on international management, taking charge of Portugal in 2008. His tenure ended after the team’s round-of-16 elimination to eventual champions Spain at the 2010 World Cup. However, his dismissal was officially attributed to allegations that he obstructed the Portuguese anti-doping authority during the tournament build-up.

Since then, Queiroz has managed several national teams, including Iran, Colombia, Egypt, Iran again, Qatar, Oman, and now Ghana. Among his most notable achievements are guiding Iran to three consecutive World Cup appearances and leading Egypt to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final, where they narrowly lost to Senegal on penalties.