The Right Man At The Right Time
On the heels of an Euro 2008 performance that left a bitter taste in the mouths of some Portuguese fans (i.e me). The Portuguese FA have began the process of wiping away the final months of the Scolari era with the appointment of former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz.
To look forward one must look back to see what went wrong under Scolari leading up to Euro 2008. When Big Phil took a swing at Serbia’s Ivica Dragutinovic the Portuguese media who by that point have already tired of Scolari act took dead aim at the man and his tactics. After a lackluster performance in qualifying where Portugal finished second to Poland and with losses to Italy and Greece leading up to Euro 2008 something just wasn’t right with the National Team. There was the Ronaldo saga, Deco leaving Barcelona and finally what Portuguese fans consider the death nail for Portugal Euro 2008 chances Scolari in mid tournament being announced as head coach of Chelsea. To many people being pulled in too many directions meant Portugal was destined for an early exit.
In comes Carlos Queiroz, the man who help development Portugal’s original golden generation. Queiroz returns looking to win silverware and give real meaning to Portugal much talked about generation of talented football players.
There was only one man who could fill the shoes left by Scolari departure and that was Queiroz. As Manchester United number two Queiroz played a large part in guiding United to it’s success over the last two seasons. Add to that his keen eye for talent, bringing in players such as Ronaldo, Nani, and Anderson into the fold not to mention spotting Pepe way before Real Madrid paid 30 million euro’s for his services.
Being the number two at United is a job of higher profile than many European head coaching jobs. With Sir Alex Ferguson letting Queiroz take control of practices plus letting him speak to the media Ferguson was comfortable doing what many other head coaches wouldn’t be and that is referring to his assistant coach for key advice and letting him take the credit for his work. No doubt that Queiroz was happy at being United’s number two but there was one job that he couldn’t pass up and as luck would have it that job came calling.
The fact remains that Carlos Queiroz wasn’t going to get the head job at United anytime soon and if Sir Alex Ferguson ever was replaced there are no guarantee’s that Queiroz would even be his replacement. He has done everything you could do at United and while most challenges wouldn’t hold the same weight as life in Manchester offered. Queiroz returning to right the wrongs of his first time in charge where he couldn’t lead Portugal to both Euro 92 and World Cup 1994 gave Queiroz a challenge he simply couldn’t pass up.
As with most teams who replace a coach the best course of action is the replace him with the polar opposite of the previous coach. While Scolari is fiery and his expression on the touchline is often viewed for the masses to see, Queiroz is calm on the touchline and focused on what the right tactic is needed for success. Scolari seemed to try and will his teams to win. Either by sheer determination or often referencing quotes from the bible.
It doesn’t hurt mind you that Queiroz is considered a father figure by key player Cristiano Ronaldo. With Ronaldo firmly on board everyone else will be fall in line with the new ideas, new tactics and all around new way of doing things that Queiroz will bring.
Portugal needed a man to change the mood of this national team. Queiroz brings with him the dawn of a new era in Portuguese football. An era that Portuguese fans hope will bring sort after success in the next four years.