Former Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Queiroz is being linked with the position of Tunisian national team manager.

The 71-year-old has been unemployed since leaving Qatar in December 2023. He is a potential successor to Kais Yakoubi, who was in charge when they lost to Gambia in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Despite this defeat, Tunisia successfully qualified for the AFCON finals, which will be hosted in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026. However, the 2004 AFCON champions are considering changes to their coaching staff.

Coaching in North Africa would not be a new experience for Queiroz. He previously managed Egypt from September 2021 to April 2022, leading them to the 2022 AFCON final, where they lost to Senegal on penalties.

Queiroz also guided Iran to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they lost 6-2 to England, defeated Wales 2-0, and lost to the USA in the final group stage match, eliminating them from the tournament.

The Mozambican-born coach has a diverse managerial career, having also coached Colombia, served as assistant coach at Manchester United, and managed South Arabia and Real Madrid.

He previously led Bafana Bafana to the 2002 AFCON quarterfinals, where they lost to Mali.

Queiroz also guided Portugal to the round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Spain.

If appointed by Tunisia, Queiroz’s first match in charge would be an away fixture against Liberia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, scheduled to resume in March.