Former Portugal national coach Carlos Queiroz Former Portugal national coach Carlos Queiroz is on the shortlist of the T&T Football Federation to replace Russell Latapy as national coach.
The TTFF has remained tightlipped on their choice although special adviser Jack Warner hinted it would be a “big time” coach who has had experience in the English Premiership.
The T&T Guardian was reliably informed the Federation has earmarked Queiroz as its choice to take T&T to Brazil 2014 and is currently negotiating with the former assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
The 57-year-old Queiroz was Sir Alex’s assistant for two spells in 2002-2003 and from 2004 until 2008. Queiroz also coached the Portugal Under-20 team at the 1991 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Portugal at which T&T participated under the captaincy of Dwight Yorke.
After a lay off, Queiroz returned to coaching national teams in 1999, when he coached the United Arab Emirates, before becoming coach of South Africa in 2000.
Under Queiroz, South Africa qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but Queiroz resigned before the finals after falling out with the South African Football Association.
He later moved to Old Trafford and where he became head coach of Real Madrid in 2003/2004 with the likes Zinedine Zidane, Brazilian Ronaldo and Luis Figo. Queiroz returned to Old Trafford a second time in 2004.
Queiroz was named Portugal coach in July 2008 and led them to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
He was however sacked in September after their poor start to the Euro 2012 qualifiers and has been seriously considered by MLS club Toronto FC for the coaching position since.
Latapy, meantime, is scheduled back in Trinidad tomorrow for discussions over his position and outstanding salaries dating to over a year.
It is reported that there are moves afoot to convince Warner and the technical committee to keep Latapy as assistant to Queiroz.