Manchester United’s No 2 Carlos Queiroz has made the highly interesting choice to take the helm of Portugal, replacing outgoing Chelsea head coach Luis Felipe Scolari.

The Mozambique born Queiroz has been mostly successful throughout his career, starting with the Under-20 Portuguese “Golden Generation” (Figo, Rui Costa, Pinto, Jorge Costa and Cuoto), two years with Sporting (where he had good results, but could only win the Portuguese Cup), a famed pit stop in NY with the MetroStars, authored the infamous “Q-Report” for the United States Soccer Federation, Grampus Eight in Japan, UAE (cha-ching), qualified South Africa for the 2002 World Cup, but resigned before the tournament due to a falling out with the South African Federation and subsequently became Sir Alex’s right hand man in Manchester after Steve McLaren headed over to Middlesbrough.

Queiroz spent just a season in Manchester before being lured to the bright lights of Real Madrid, where he was named head coach in the summer of 2003 (and right after David Beckham was signed) but only lasted until May 2004 when Madrid ended the season in 4th place and disappointed in the Champions League.

In the meantime while Queiroz was away, Sir Alex had brought in long time friend and former (now current) Glasgow Rangers head coach Walter Smith. With Smith taking over the head coaching role for Scotland, Queiroz slide back into his No 2 role at Old Trafford and signed a three year deal.

Now with Queiroz taking the helm in Portugal and getting a four year deal, questions start to rise.

How will this affect the ongoing Cristiano Ronaldo saga and the relationships he’s built with Anderson and Nani?

Who will replace Queiroz as No 2 at Old Trafford (following the likes of Archie Knox, Brian Kidd, Steve McLaren and Walter Smith) as Sir Alex has already tried to go with one in the past, with disastrous effects in 2001.

Will Queiroz miss the day to day trainings and locker room banter that you won’t get as National Team head coach?

image via Ymig