Iran manager Carlos Queiroz insists current England team better than 'golden generation'

Iran manager Carlos Queiroz has claimed that the current England team are the best since the Three Lions won the FIFA World Cup in 1966.

Queiroz is gearing up his Iran team to face off against England on Monday at the Khalifa International Stadium in what is their World Cup opener.

The former Real Madrid manager was quick to temper expectations for the game in his press conference, insisting that his side will be facing an all-time great Three Lions team:

"It is the most important game of our lives, first of all because it is the next one, and the next game is always most important for the life of coaches and players. But also it is a unique opportunity, even for me, and I have 200-and-something international games.

"But it is the first time I have the opportunity to play against the England national team. And for the majority of our players, to play against England is like magic, a unique opportunity, a gift, because in terms of the international calendar, to play England or Germany is almost impossible.

"This new generation that Gareth Southgate is bringing for the national team in my opinion is probably the most talented, the most competitive English national team since 1966."

Queiroz added: "This team is very very functional, very practical, very realistic. I work with the generation of Rio (Ferdinand), (Paul) Scholes, (David) Beckham, all those guys. But this national team is really really different because they have a realistic approach to any single game which makes them very, very dangerous."

Iran will also face off against the USMNT and Wales in Group B at this winter's tournament in Qatar.

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