Carlos Queiroz has left his post as assistant at Manchester United and will take over as coach of his country, Portugal, as Luiz Felipe Scolari's successor...
The Manchester United assistant manager has accepted an offer to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari as boss of the Portugal national squad, who crashed out of Euro 2008 in the quarter-finals after losing to Germany.
Queiroz has signed a four-year deal and will be formally announced on Wednesday, July 16th, at the facilities of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
The Mozambique-born tactician will be responsible for the main Portuguese squad, as well as the national youth squads, with whom he enjoyed great success in the past, having guided the under-20 team to two Football World Youth Championships.
"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."
Carlos Queiroz spoke of his happiness to return to the Portugal national squad nearly 14 years after his departure, saying: "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."
No details were revealed on the compensation paid by FPF to Manchester United but it is believed that a fee of €2 million was required to bring the 55-year-old coach.
Queiroz has signed a four-year deal and will be formally announced on Wednesday, July 16th, at the facilities of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
The Mozambique-born tactician will be responsible for the main Portuguese squad, as well as the national youth squads, with whom he enjoyed great success in the past, having guided the under-20 team to two Football World Youth Championships.
"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."
Carlos Queiroz spoke of his happiness to return to the Portugal national squad nearly 14 years after his departure, saying: "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."
No details were revealed on the compensation paid by FPF to Manchester United but it is believed that a fee of €2 million was required to bring the 55-year-old coach.
