Former Manchester United coach and Premier League winner Carlos Queiroz has been sacked as the manager of the Qatar national team after just 11 games in charge.
With just a few weeks to go until Qatar host the 2024 edition of the Asia Cup, Qatar obviously felt the need to act. Carlos Queiroz was only 12 months into his four-year contract but a record of four wins from 11 games meant his position quickly became untenable in the eyes of the national team bosses.
Queiroz, who won three Premier League titles during two spells under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, was informed last week that his contract would be terminated, per The National.
Confirmation of his dismissal, meanwhile, arrived on Wednesday.
Marquez Lopez, who had a spell in charge of Espanyol back in 2008, has since been confirmed as his successor.
Former Manchester United coach sacked
“The Qatar Football Association has announced that Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz’s tenure as head coach of the Qatar national team has ended,” reads a statement from the QFA.
“The QFA expresses its sincere gratitude to coach Queiroz for his unwavering dedication, leadership, and contributions during his tenure as the head coach of the national team. We wish him success in his future endeavours.”
Queiroz, who enjoyed an excellent relationship with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford, celebrated his 70th birthday in March. After leaving Manchester United for a second time 15 years ago, he has enjoyed spells in charge of various national teams. Qatar, Portugal, Iran, Colombia and Egypt.
Queiroz has also sat in the dugout for South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and, briefly, Real Madrid.
Three Premier League titles alongside Sir Alex
“He was so impressive I offered him the (assistant manager) job straight away,” Ferguson recalled in his 2014 autobiography, via ESPN. “He was the closest you could be to being the Manchester United manager without actually holding the title.
“(Queiroz) had most of the qualities to be the Manchester United manager. He could be an emotional man. But of all the ones who worked alongside me, he was the best, no doubt about that. He was totally straight. He was good for me. A Rottweiler.
“He’d stride into my office and tell me we needed to get something done.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
