Queiroz appointed as Portugal coach
Queiroz appointed as Portugal coach
Carlos Queiroz has been appointed as the new coach of the Portugal national team. He now leaves his post as the assistant manager of Manchester United.
Carlos Queiroz had been a key assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at reigning Premiership and European champions Manchester United for over six years now and his departure has disturbed the Scotsman.
Queiroz has been linked with the Portugal job since Luiz Felipe Scolari stepped down from the post after Euro 2008. The Portuguese has now signed a four-year deal and will be formally announced on Wednesday, July 16th, at the facilities of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
"The Professor Carlos Queiroz is, undoubtedly, a top reference among the Portuguese coaches and he was my first choice to fill the spot of national coach," said Gilberto MadaÃl, president of FPF.
"Although I have never worked with him, since he was not in the federation anymore when I joined, I have been following his career with great interest and I believe the experiences he witnessed in all the places where he has worked will be important for him to achieve the success we all want.
"We made a big effort, even financial-wise, to bring Professor Carlos Queiroz back and we will do everything we can for him to have the best conditions to perform the tasks he was assigned to. It is up to me to recognize the cooperative attitude that Manchester United had from the beginning of this process."
This is what Qeiroz had to say about his move:
"I am very proud and honoured to be able to return and serve my country.
"This is a very special challenge and a job every professional would want. I have been receptive to take this big challenge ever since Dr. Gilberto MadaÃl showed me the project.
"I think we have enough conditions to continue showing an excellent image of our country through the good performances of the national squads and, specially, the main national squad, whose first big goal is the qualification for the 2010 World Cup.
"I would like to thank Manchester United for the deal that allowed my return to Portugal to become a reality."
