Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has been appointed Portugal coach, the Portuguese Soccer Federation (FPF) said yesterday.

Queiroz, who fills the post left vacant by Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, will sign a four-year contract. He is scheduled to be formally presented at a news conference on July 16.

"I am very proud and honoured to be able to go back and serve my country," the FPF quoted Queiroz as saying on its website (www.fpf.pt) "This is a very special position that any professional would want.", he added.

"The first big objective is to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa (in 2010)."

"I also want to thank Manchester United for the agreement reached, which made my return to Portugal possible," he said.

Former Portugal boss Scolari stepped down after Euro 2008, following 5-1/2 years in charge, to join Chelsea.

No details of Queiroz's salary were released.

"I also want to recognise the co-operation of Manchester United from the beginning of this process," FPF President Gilbert Madail said.

Winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been playing under Queiroz at Old Trafford for the last four years, said: "He is a perfect choice. I have been working with him for some time and I just have to say that he is very good for this job."

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