Queiroz sacked as Portugal boss
Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz has been sacked following his side’s poor start to their European Championships qualifying group. Having suffered an embarrassing 4-4 draw at home to European minnows Cyprus last Friday, they succumbed to relatively mediocre opposition in Norway on Tuesday night, leaving them second bottom of Group H and five points off leaders Norway.
Whether it is just Portugal’s poor performances on the pitch that have cost the former Real Madrid coach his job is unknown at this stage, but the fact it comes just a week after he was handed a six-month ban for interrupting a doping test is surely not just pure coincidence.
Queiroz’ time with the national side has been far from spectacular. He only just managed to steer the talented Portuguese squad into this summer’s World Cup finals by the skin of their teeth, as they overcame Bosnia and Herzegovina narrowly in the European zone playoffs. Having been drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ for the finals, they commendably navigated their way into the last 16 thanks to two goalless draws and a hammering of a very limited North Korea side. They were eventually knocked out by the eventual winners Spain in the round of 16, but players and fans alike were disillusioned with Queiroz’ ultra-defensive tactics. The side is now left with an uphill battle to secure qualification for the European Championships in two years time, with the possibility of another play-off looking increasingly likely even at this early stage.
Queiroz’ latest sacking represents his second attempt with the Portuguese national team, having managed the side in the early 90’s, only to fail to qualify for the two major tournaments he was in charge for. The former Manchester United assistant manager will still be looked upon fondly by much of the Portuguese public though, for his work in bringing through the country’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’, which went on to record a World Cup semi-final spot in 2006, and a runners-up spot in Euro 2004. Although he was in charge for neither of these successes.
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