Asian Cup: Carlos Queiroz steps down as Iran coach after semi-final defeat

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz on Monday decided to step down from his responsibility after nearly eight years following his team's 3-0 loss to Japan in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup.

"I think the simplest thing to do is to copy the old song: 'and now, the end is here'," the 65-year-old Portuguese said.

"I'm happy and proud to say I did it my way," he concluded.

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The former Real Madrid coach had been hoping to deliver Iran's first continental title since 1976 in the United Arab Emirates but Japan scored three second-half goals to send them crashing out of the tournament.