Portugal opt for Bento

Former Sporting boss handed two-year contract

By Francisco Acedo   Last updated: 21st September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Portugal opt for Bento

Bento: New Portugal boss

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Portugal have confirmed Paulo Bento as their new coach of the national side following the departure of Carlos Queiroz.

The former Sporting Lisbon manager has agreed a two-year deal that will see him take charge until the completion of the European Championship in 2012.

Bento was capped 35 times by Portugal during his playing days as a defensive midfielder and has had two spells in charge of Sporting.

Former boss Queiroz was dismissed earlier in the month after leading his side to a poor start to the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Portugal have only managed one point from two games in Group H and are already five points behind leaders Denmark.

Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madail launched an attempt to secure the services of Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho on a temporary basis but his effort was thwarted by Los Merengues president Florentino Perez.

Bento now has the task of turning around the fortunes of the national side, after they crashed out in the second round of the World Cup to Spain.

His first game in charge will be a crunch clash against Denmark on Friday 8th October as Portugal look to peg back the group leaders.