'People told me to ignore what I’d seen on the television or social media and encouraged me to take on the job – the people have been extremely welcoming' Rene Meulensteen on bold choice that could lead to World Cup

Anyone tuning in to Iraq's inter-confederation play-off against Bolivia on Tuesday night (and who isn't?) may be surprised to see a familiar face lining up in the Iraq coaching team.

Former Manchester United assistant and Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen will be there in the dugout in a bid to help Iraq to reach their first World Cup since 1986.

That game will see the victors placed alongside France, Senegal and Norway in the group stage of the World Cup. But how exactly did Sir Alex Ferguson's former right-hand man end up in such an unexpected job?

Rene Meulensteen: 'Iraq job is a fly in, fly out arrangement'

Well, for starters, Meulensteen is no stranger to working in that neck of the woods having previously managed Qatari sides Al-Ittihad (now known as Al-Gharafa) and Al-Sadd, as well as the Qatar under-18s side, before his move to Old Trafford.

But it is Meulensteen's work in Australia as assistant to Graham Arnold that led to the opportunity with Iraq after the former Socceroos boss took the job last May.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, Meulensteen said: "We worked together taking Australia to the last World Cup – Iraq approached him to be their new coach and he wanted me to join him.

"Before we accepted the offer, we had a discussion about what we could achieve and how the federation operated. We reached the conclusion that getting to the World Cup would be a challenge, but realistic.

"You have to undertake due diligence. I’d worked in the Middle East before, so the region wasn’t completely alien to me. I have a diverse network of associates, including some Iraqis, who I coached during my time in Qatar.

"They told me to ignore what I’d seen on the television or social media and encouraged me to take on the job. Graham can be in the country for three to four months at a time, while my agreement is more of a fly in and fly out one. I’ve not had any issues in Iraq – the people have been extremely welcoming."

There are specific challenges that Arnold and Meulensteen have had to tackle, however.

The Dutchman explained: "The Australian players are playing in professional environments, whether that’s at home or abroad. With Iraq, roughly half of the squad is in Europe, with the others playing domestically.

"The ones in Europe may not be with big clubs in the biggest leagues, but they’re exposed to nutritionists, analysts and sports psychologists to a degree. Those in Iraq won’t have access to that.

"It’s not their fault, it’s just the environment they find themselves in."

Meulensteen is now making plans to pass on the knowledge he has accumulated over his decades in coaching to the next generation.

He said: "I’m planning to start a virtual coaching academy, focusing initially on skills development.

"I’ve coached in various leagues and worked with some of the biggest names in the sport, so I want to share my experiences with young, aspiring coaches, no matter where in the world they are.

"Every young boy or girl at grassroots level is entitled to the best skills development coaching."