The rise and fall of Carlos Queiroz

In what must be considered one of the more unlikely stories of the year, Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has been suspended for six months after the country’s sports institute ruled that he disrupted an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup. An inquiry found that Queiroz insulted an anti-doping team sent to test the Portugal squad before the tournament in South Africa, shedding a new light on the seemingly mild mannered manager.

Probably best known to English fans as Manchester United’s assistant manager during two separate spells, Queiroz is credited as having discovered Portugal’s “Golden Generation” after delivering the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1991. He is also held in high regard by Sir Alex Ferguson, who pushed for Queiroz to be his successor at Old Trafford before his eventual appointment as Portugal manager in 2008. Ferguson also testified on Queiroz’s behalf as a character witness in the recent inquiry.

However, question marks have been raised about Queiroz’s ability as a manager following his first stint as Portugal manager when he failed to qualify the team for the 1992 European Championships, or the 1994 World Cup, as well as his time at Real Madrid when he was sacked after one season having led a galactico filled side to a meagre fourth place finish in La Liga. Many have also been left unimpressed by his current spell as manager of the national side, having only just seen the side through to the finals via the play-offs before meekly going out to Spain in the last 16.

Nobody appeared to be questioning his temperament though, with Queiroz suggesting that these charges are an attempt to force him out of his job. Indeed, a six month suspension does make his position seemingly untenable given it will mean him missing the first four games of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, starting tomorrow night against Cyprus. Should the suspension be upheld, will there be any appetite to retain his services and appoint an interim replacement?

To the outsider, the charges certainly seem out of character for a man who offered some refreshingly honest and intelligent views when interviewed during his time at United. However, there is clearly a level of discontent with the job he is doing as national coach beyond these allegations, as witnessed by Ronaldo’s interview after the Spain World Cup game (“Ask Queiroz” was his blunt reply when asked why Portugal had lost). For a manager who has promised so much, the future now appears very unclear.