Queiroz backed for Portugal job

Oliveira feels United assistant is ideal candidate

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 2nd July 2008

Queiroz backed for Portugal job

Queiroz: Oliveira's choice

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Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz is the right man to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari in charge of the Portugal team, according to former boss Agostinho Oliveira.

Scolari left his post after Euro 2008 to take up the Chelsea job, and the Portuguese Football Federation are already on the lookout for his successor.

Queiroz has reportedly been offered a £1.4million deal and Oliveira, who coached Portugal on a caretaker basis in 2002, believes he is the ideal candidate.

"He's the right man for that job," Oliveira told Portuguese radio station Antena 1.

"Our president (Gilberto Madail) should see that he, at this moment, is the right man for that job and should therefore do everything so that things will happen, and I hope they will happen."

Queiroz has been tipped for the top job at Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson decides to stand down, but Oliveira believes the temptation to lead his country would prove too difficult to resist.

Oliveira was part of Queiroz's backroom staff when he was coach of Portugal's Under-21 team between 1991 and 1993 and knows him well.

He explained: "I think it would be possible to get him. I know Carlos' personality and his way of dealing with situations around him.

"His desire to serve the national team and the country, and to carry out a rebuilding work, could persuade him to accept to take hold of the reins."