ALEX FERGUSON'S problematic build-up to the season has been exacerbated by the growing realisation that his assistant, Carlos Queiroz, is giving strong consideration to becoming Portugal's new manager. Queiroz, it emerged last night, has indicated he is willing to leave in a move that will do little to change Cristiano Ronaldo's mind about severing his own ties with the European Cup winners.
While Ferguson had been hoping Queiroz could play a big role in persuading his compatriot against trying to force through his "dream" transfer to Real Madrid, he now faces the serious possibility of losing his most devastating player as well as a coach whose work has been crucial to United re-establishing themselves.
Queiroz spoke at length with Gilberto Madail, the president of the Portuguese football federation (FPF), on Tuesday and is now the only candidate to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari. It is believed he will accept the job if he is given a four-year contract to take him through to the next European Championship, to be held in Poland and Ukraine in 2012, rather than the two-year deal that had originally been put before him.
It remains to be seen whether the FPF will accede to the demand, although Madail has already signalled his determination to recruit Queiroz by bumping up the initial €950,000-a-year offer to an annual salary of €1.38 million.
There was no comment from Old Trafford yesterday but senior figures have accepted Queiroz would not have gone so far with talks if he were not seriously tempted. Ferguson has said many times that his number two could eventually replace him as manager, as has the chief executive David Gill. But Queiroz' thinking seems to be that if he does a reasonable job at the World Cup in 2010 he would still be a serious candidate when the opportunity arises, probably in the same summer.
One certainty is that his departure would represent a considerable setback for Ferguson. While Ferguson is very much in control on match days, Queiroz has a far more hands-on role than most in his position.
There were reports in Portugal last night that Madail hopes to tie up the deal next week and will fly to Manchester to arrange a compensation package with Gill.
Meanwhile, Martin O'Neill has banned Gareth Barry from reporting back for pre-season training with his Aston Villa team-mates this morning, leaving the England international with little option but to train on his own after Liverpool yesterday failed with a €19 million bid for him.
O'Neill, who maintains that Villa will not accept less than €22.5 million for the midfielder, has also fined the 27-year-old midfielder for his outspoken remarks last weekend when he criticised his manager in a Sunday newspaper.
Transfer news
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Brazilian striker Jo from CSKA Moscow for a "club record" undisclosed fee. The 21-year-old forward, who has been capped once by Brazil, has signed a four-year contract. Mark Hughes says City are still hoping to sign Ronaldinho . . . Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has made Argentina winger Jonas Gutierrez his first summer signing. Jonas has joined from Spanish side Real Mallorca on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee . . . Hull have completed the signing of former Derby striker Craig Fagan in a £750,000 deal . . . PSV Eindhoven have signed Sweden international goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee . . . Liverpool forward Anthony Le Tallec has completed a permanent transfer to Le Mans . . .The 36-year-old striker Dwight Yorke has signed a one-year contract extension at Sunderland.
Guardian Service
