When the news was finally confirmed that Carlos Queiroz was leaving Manchester United to become manager of Portugal, I was honestly absolutely gutted. He had been the man I’d backed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson in a few years time and the idea of finding another man capable of doing the job is pretty daunting.
In a rather touching speech, Queiroz said goodbye to the club, and showing us just how hard it was for him to leave.
“It is with a very heavy heart that today I leave the greatest football club in the world after five fantastic years,” said Queiroz. “Our players on and off the pitch make the difference and to them also I owe a great deal of gratitude for their hard work, professionalism and most of all their performances. I feel we have in place the basis for the next generation to follow in the tradition of such world class players as Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best. I will forever be a fan and admirer of the club and also thankful that I had the opportunity to be part of such a great institution, a vast organisation but with a unique feeling of family and community. This leads me finally to our fans – local, national and international. I thank them for their fantastic support and encouragement in my time at the club, always there when we need them to support us both home and away in huge numbers. In conclusion I wish everyone at our club, continued success in the years to come and to continue to enjoy a brand of exciting, attractive and winning football, admired and respected the world over.”
Our thoughts immediately stray to who will be his replacement, despite Fergie’s claims they are in no rush. As well as the new tactics he implemented at United, Queiroz had a strong pull for a few of our foreign players, meaning speculation about Ronaldo’s transfer increased. Today, news has emerged that United are drawing up a shortlist, and Cristiano’s former team mate is on it. Is this a wise move?
Sporting Lisbon coach, Paulo Bento, is an up and coming young manager who has enjoyed relative success in his three years at the Portuguese club. Since making the move from coaching the Junior team in 2005, he has enjoyed his time as one of the top two teams in the country, as well as winning the Portuguese Cup and Supercup, and going a season unbeaten at home.
Last season, Sporting claimed Champions League football for the following campaign for the third consecutive year, something unheard of in thie club’s history.
Whilst Queiroz specialised in young Portuguese talent, it appears as though Bento could bring the same quality. After his time with the youngsters at Sporting, Bento successfully managed to bring the likes of Nani, João Moutinho and Miguel Veloso through the ranks.
He seems like a safe bet and I like the idea of us having a foreigner to replace Queiroz, ensuring we don’t lose out on the hard work the former assistant started. The problem is more likely to arise in getting him to accept walking out on his manager’s job at Sporting for a lesser role at United. With the hope of later becoming United boss though, the opportunity might be too great to miss out on.
Of course, this would also be pleasing to Cristiano Ronaldo, who played alongside Bento at Sporting until he left for United in 2003. Several months ago, we would have leapt at the chance, but things are very different now. The appeal of Bento isn’t as great because neither is our desire to keep Ronaldo.
Do you think Bento would come to United and would it be a good move for us?
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There is no need, and specially not “that need”. We have no desire to keep the ingrate homo.
Bento or whoever is on SAF’s radar should come on merit.
I would like a number 2 who is somehow connected to club, but I know thats hard. I am not convinced with Choccy, and there are a few there with the “job for the boys” feel about them at the club.
It is a difficult position to fill as we have lost Kidd, McClaren and Charlie Q twice to manager roles.
I wish Carlos Queiroz all the best at Portugal. I hope he is successfull. Its fantastic to see him pay a glowing tribute to our club. It is a big loss for United no doubt to lose him, but I still remain adamant that he would not have been the right man to take over from Fergie. Hes a great number 2 and a fantastic coach but theres a big difference between being the manager and assistant. I hope he goes onto to become a successfull manager and prooves me wrong.
Blanc would be my choice but this guy seems to have a good background
i prefer eric cantona, he is a former mu player and know mu well enough
Bento would be a good addition to the club as no.2 but obviously not as part of any method of keeping Robnaldo. We should just keep Ronaldo anyway. To the idioots who were holding the ‘Ronaldo Out’ banners the other night – Get a grip, you muppets. You’re doing exactly what Madrid, Ronaldo and Blatter want you to do! Fergie has got the right idea – say nothing and don’t give these greedy b***ards the oxygen of publicity that they want
P.S. Cantona would be a dream appointment. His mere presence at the club would give us a huge lift. Eric for No.2!!!
Thumbs up for Jimmy The Weed. Most idiots out there only have their guns pointed at Ronaldo all they wish for is for him to surrender the Red Shirt! Such Banners are a great deal to them and consequently a “job done well” will be sung.
Contana is a better replacement. We dont have to look at Portugal alone for the success of the club. Trust S.A.F, he knows what he is doing. NO NEED TO RUSH.
Jimmy the Weed, agree with every word of your 1st post. Yet I don’t think Fergie will be thinking at all of CR7 when he decides who he wants to work alongside him. Maybe Quiroz has put out a few feelers, and made a few suggestions to Fergie re Bento or others. I certainly don’t think Fergie will give Ronaldo’s opinion the time of day. He wants his No2 to have European experience and contacts, so I doubt he will promote within.
Cantona, so loves United, and he will always be lauded at Old Trafford, but he has been too long out of the game to become Fergie’s assistant I believe.
How about Laudrup?
The key guy is – and has been for over twenty years – Sir Alex of Govan. As long as he is at the helm, I’m happy; once he goes then a chasm of uncertainty yawns in front of our team.
Carlos Q has now left OT for supposedly greener pastures twice – I doubt that he will be invited back for a third go-around. That opens the door to a new generation of successors.
I agree with MikeyRed – Laudrup has superb qualifications/background. Whether he is TheMan for the big job in a few years time is another question.
Right now, I’m enjoying the kerfuffle around Ronaldo-Gate – and also the afterglow of last year’s double.
It’s entertainment, right ? Enjoy the ride.
I just want you to know that I think you did a terrific job on this websight.