Portugal dismiss coach Carlos Queiroz

Published on 09/09/2010 21:19

Carlos Queiroz was sacked last night as coach of the Portuguese national side.

The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed the news, just two days after the national team suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Norway in the latest round of Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Queiroz is currently serving a six-month ban for his alleged misbehaviour during an anti-doping testing session at a training camp in the run-up to the World Cup, and was not on the bench for Tuesday's defeat.

Portugal were also held to an embarrassing 4-4 home draw with Cyprus in their opening qualifier last week, and the team's lack of performance on the pitch, allied to Queiroz's alleged misdemeanour off it, has forced the Portuguese federation to act.

The former Manchester United assistant manager had two years remaining on his contract with the Portuguese federation. A federation statement read: "Given the recent events, and after reviewing the current situation concerning the national coach, the directorate of the FPF decided unanimously (to end] the contract... with the national coach, Carlos Queiroz, with immediate effect.

"This decision was communicated to Carlos Queiroz."

The statement added that the search for a new coach would begin immediately with a view to having a new man in place in time for the team's next qualifier at home to Denmark on 8 October.

The statement added: "(The FPF will] start immediately contacts and talks with a view to hiring a technician who performs the functions of national coach in time to prepare and lead the team in the forthcoming qualifying matches for Euro 2012."

Meanwhile, Greek striker Fanis Gekas ended his international career yesterday, becoming the third player to quit the national team since Fernando Santos was appointed coach.

It is the latest headache for Santos following the recent international retirements of Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Gekas' Eintracht Frankfurt team-mate, striker Ioannis Amanatidis.

The 30-year-old Gekas scored 20 goals in 52 matches for Greece since making his debut in 2005.

Greece have two points from two games in European Championship qualifying.