THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LISBON, Portugal — Carlos Queiroz has succeeded Luiz Felipe Scolari as coach of Portugal.
"The Portuguese Football Federation has the pleasure to announce that Carlos Queiroz is its new national coach," the federation said in a statement on its Web site Friday.
The 55-year-old Queiroz, who had been Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United for the past four years, signed a four-year contract.
Queiroz was Portugal coach from 1991-94 when he left after the team failed to qualify for the World Cup in the United States. He was in charge for 23 games — 10 wins, eight draws and five defeats.
Queiroz thanked United for agreeing to let him go.
"I am very proud and honoured to be able to serve my country again. It’s a very special challenge and a job which any professional would want," Queiroz said in a statement.
The Portuguese will be presented to the media at a news conference on Wednesday.
Queiroz was described by the federation as "unquestionably the benchmark among Portuguese coaches."
Manchester United and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, who is in Lisbon recovering from ankle surgery, welcomed the appointment.
"Queiroz is a great coach and a great person. He’s the right choice," Ronaldo told Portuguese radio station Antena 1.
Federation president Gilberto Madail said in a statement that Queiroz was his first choice to replace Scolari.
"(Queiroz’) experience gained in all the posts he has held will be important in helping us achieve our goals," Madail said.
He added that the federation "made a huge effort, including a financial one" for the coach.
The federation statement made no mention of any compensation being paid to United.
Queiroz’ first game in charge will be an exhibition match against the Faroe Islands in Portugal on Aug. 20.
Portugal begins its World Cup qualifying campaign Sept. 6, in Malta, and hosts Denmark four days later.
Portugal had been looking for a coach after Scolari ended his five-year spell in charge to join Chelsea after the European Championship.
Queiroz takes charge of a national team that has drawn wide praise despite never winning a major international trophy. He was publicly critical of Scolari, prompting the Brazilian to accuse him in 2006 of trying to take his job.
Queiroz made his name developing youth teams in Portugal before being promoted to national coach in 1991.
He nurtured Portugal’s so-called Golden Generation, which included former FIFA World Player of the Year Luis Figo, leading the country’s under-20 team to consecutive World Youth Championship triumphs in 1989 and 1991.
His coaching career has included stints at Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon, as well as at teams in the United States, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
He quit his post as Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United once before, joining Real Madrid in 2003. An unsuccessful season resulted in him being fired and he returned to his previous job in July 2004.
"Carlos is one of the best coaches in world football," Ferguson said Friday. "His attention to detail, ability to innovate and will to win have been a key factor to the team’s recent successes.
"He has played an important role in building and blending the exceptional squad of players at the club."
.Queiroz, who was born in Mozambique when it was still a Portuguese colony, went to Sporting Lisbon in 1994. He left two years later after winning only the Portuguese Cup during his first season in charge.
He moved to Major League Soccer where he was coach at the MetroStars in 1996, then travelled to Japan to take over at Nagoya Grampus Eight in the 1996-97 season.
He advised the United States on the development of youth soccer in 1998 and became United Arab Emirates coach the following year.
Queiroz was in charge of South Africa from 2000-02 and then went to Manchester United as Ferguson’s assistant.
Queiroz was credited with overhauling United’s tactics and having a crucial role in the team’s triumph in last season’s Champions League. United also won the Premier League the past two years.