Ronaldo to keep Queiroz at Manchester United – and vice-versa

FPF face battle to contract first-choice coach

Carlos Queiroz has received a formal proposal from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) to become the country’s new head coach.

FPF head Gilberto Madail has been in contact with Queiroz since the weekend, but negotiations are at a delicate phase, with Manchester United keen to hold on to their assistant coach in order to help them persuade compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford.

Queiroz, who was Portugal coach from 1991 to 1994, after having led the U20 team to successive World Youth Cup triumphs in 1989 and 1991, is facing a dilemma that could well be the defining point in his career.

The former Sporting and Real Madrid coach is known to be keen on taking the reins of the national team again, but also has ambitions of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as the next Manchester United manager.

United are expected to make it difficult for Queiroz to leave Old Trafford given the influence he exercises on Cristiano Ronaldo, whose on/off transfer saga to Real Madrid is yet to be resolved.

The European champions and Ferguson are desperate to hold on to the two-time PFA player of the year who scored a phenomenal 42 goals for the Red Devils last season.

Ferguson’s successor?

The FPF are unable to compete with the Premiership club in terms of Queiroz’s salary, although the trump card United may play would be to guarantee the Portuguese coach the top job when Ferguson retires. Queiroz would then use all his persuasive powers to try and talk Ronaldo round to committing his future to United.

Despite Queiroz being unanimously the favoured choice among the players themselves as well as the Portuguese public, it seems likely the FPF will have to look elsewhere for Scolari’s successor, with Brazilian compatriot Zico well positioned.

Madail said last week that although the new coach would not necessarily have to be Portuguese, it was crucial that he spoke the language.