Querioz

[Billy Dane]

That;s a shame....

 

From The Sunday TimesJuly 6, 2008

 

Man Utd lose fight to keep Queiroz

 

Carlos Queiroz is set to become Portugal's manager

Jonathan Northcroft

 

 

Sir Alex Ferguson has lost the first of his two major battles to keep key personnel after it emerged Carlos Queiroz is to accept the job as Portugal’s next manager. Ferguson is resigned to losing Queiroz, a crucial figure in Manchester United’s rebirth as European champions, and now faces the headache of finding the sixth No 2 of his 21-and-a-half-year reign.

 

The manager remains adamant, however, that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be going to Real Madrid – despite fears that Queiroz’s departure will weaken United’s powers of persuasion with their unsettled star.

 

Queiroz, described by Ronaldo as “like a father”, is set to sign a four-year contract with Portugal worth around £1.2m a year, a similar salary to that he receives at United. He is thought to have informed Ferguson of his intentions after reflecting on talks he held on Tuesday with Gilberto Madail, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation.

 

It will be the second time Queiroz has managed Portugal, having coached his national team with mixed success from 1991-94. He also had a spell as manager of South Africa, and was the FPF’s immediate choice to succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari, from the moment the Brazilian announced he was leaving to join Chelsea during Euro 2008.

 

United can expect a hefty sum in compensation for Queiroz, below, who is on a one-year rolling contract similar to Ferguson’s, but money will do little to salve their anguish over losing a figure recognised within the club to have been vital to its most recent successes.

 

Queiroz was first Ferguson’s No 2 in 2002-03, when United were Premier League champions. During that period he was credited with restoring organisation to a defence that had leaked 68 goals in 2001-02. His return in 2004, following an unsuccessful season as Real Madrid manager, coincided with the start of the building of United’s current European champions. For four years Queiroz has overseen most training matters and Ferguson has allowed him major input into tactical strategies.

 

Brian McClair, highly regarded by Ferguson in his work as the club’s academy director, is among those likely to be considered as a replacement, although United may also look at up-and-coming Championship managers, such as Barnsley’s Simon Davey, Blackpool’s Simon Grayson and Swansea’s Roberto Martinez.

 

Queiroz’s value to United extended far beyond his coaching acumen. His scouting network in Portugal put United first in line to sign Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson. Ferguson had hoped Queiroz would play a key part in persuading Ronaldo to abandon his “dream” of joining Real Madrid and knuckle down to a new season with United, but the coach is likely to have left United by July 14, the date Ronaldo is due to report back.

 

The player is about to undergo surgery to correct a longstanding problem with his right ankle and is expected to miss the start of the Premier League season, which kicks off on August 16. Reports in Portugal claim he could be out for as long as three months.

 

It is understood Ronaldo’s injury has done nothing to cool Real’s interest but United reiterated yesterday that he is “not for sale at any price” and confirmed that Real have made no contact with them over a transfer.

 

Spanish media claims that Real had offered £67m and have been told the player is theirs if they returned with a bid of £80m were dismissed by United as “laughable nonsense”.

[fyds]

If they lose both of them - and Isuspect now they will - it could get very messy around there for a while.

[John am Rhein]

So who will be the new number 2?

 

 

 

?

[Alonso]

So who will be the new number 2?

Catonna. He's said the only job he'd go back into football for is the Man Utd manager's job but getting a couple of years under Ferguson would stand him in good stead.

[billybunter]

Catonna. He's said the only job he'd go back into football for is the Man Utd manager's job but getting a couple of years under Ferguson would stand him in good stead.

 

Kerry?

 

 

Seriously though, it would be brilliant news if they appointed him

[Archangel]

If they lose both of them - and Isuspect now they will - it could get very messy around there for a while.

 

I'd prefer them both to stay and stew at old trafford, that would be even messier given whats gone on

[Flight]

I'll be made up with Quieroz leaves. In my opinion, a bigger blow to them than losing Ronaldo, plus they don't get mega millions for him.

[D.Boon]

Fergiuson will get to unleash his full tactical acumen in Europe once more.

 

Hurrah!!

[Ostrich Man]

are you writing us off again?

 

 

sweet.

[ManxRed]

I want it to be Cantona, purely for the thought of him doing all the post match interviews on MOTD!

 

It'd be like an episode of Python.

[Bailo]

United can expect a hefty sum in compensation for Queiroz, below, who is on a one-year rolling contract similar to Ferguson’s,

Erm, can they? With only a one-year rolling contract, surely they can't demand much?

[fyds]

If anything.

[theredfella]

A guy emailed Talksport this morning to say that Pique is/was his neighbour in Sale and he'd told him before the Euros that our Pako had taken a temporary role in Benfica to tide him over & because of the terms of his contract with us but after that, he was coming to United as apparently they have known about Quieroz taking the Portugal role for a while.

 

Whether it's true or not remains to be seen but if it is, that is a f*cking disgrace