Soccer Shorts

Backing for Queiroz: Alex Ferguson has recommended that Carlos Queiroz should be regarded as his long-term successor as Manchester United's manager.

Queiroz, in his second spell at Old Trafford as assistant manager, has made it clear he would like the job and Ferguson believes the former Real Madrid coach has the qualifications to be a success.

"Can he be the next manager? Why not? He knows how to be one, he has experience, he is very bright, all that is needed," Ferguson said. "There are many Portuguese people in football, but I have the best one here in Carlos Queiroz."

Ferguson detailed the recruitment process that first led him to Queiroz three years ago.

"I spoke to many people about him, people like Luis Figo. I knew about his work with Portugal's youth teams and that he was two-times world champion, as a coach, with the under-19 national teams.

"It needed someone with a good working capacity, technical knowledge, who could speak in various languages, had a European culture and was able to bridge the different nationalities."

Ferguson also made it clear that, at 63, he is still a long way short of wanting to sever his ties with England's biggest club.

"I could enjoy my profits and retire from football, but I still go to Carrington (United's training ground) every day and love the job," he added. "From time to time I ask myself: do I have the energy to continue? Then I see businessmen of 80-plus with lots of energy and I think: If they can still do it at 82 or 83, why shouldn't I be able to at 63?

"So I'm ready to continue for some time yet. We're building a new team, with some of the most talented players in the world and some young players who will be the future. So why should I retire?" ... l Guardian Service

Mourinho cleared
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was yesterday cleared by Uefa over claims that he was responsible for the retirement of referee Anders Frisk.

Mourinho has been heavily criticised, with suggestions that his berating of Frisk's performance in Chelsea's Champions League tie at Barcelona sparked the threats which prompted the referee to quit the game.

However, Uefa have now confirmed that on that precise accusation Mourinho has no case to answer. His behaviour remains under investigation, however, and his conduct in Barcelona will be considered by Uefa's control and disciplinary body next Thursday.

No go Benitez
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has again dismissed media reports that he will take over as Real Madrid coach at the end of the season.

"I have a deal with Liverpool and I am very happy here," he said yesterday. "My aim is to be here next year and win trophies."

The Spanish coach also rejected reports he had fallen out with Harry Kewell following the pair's public spat over the Australian international's fitness.

"My relationship with Harry is good. I don't have any problems with him," added Benitez. "With Harry I have only one idea and that is to see him playing football for us again."

Morrison assured
Clinton Morrison has been assured he has a future at Birmingham by manager Steve Bruce despite losing his place to the Emile Heskey-Walter Pandiani strike partnership.

Bruce has spoken with the Republic of Ireland international and wants him to sign a new contract.

Morrison, whose current deal runs out in the summer of 2006, said: "I played the best football of my career this season but have to accept that the gaffer has gone for Walter and Emile up front in recent matches.

"The good thing is that the gaffer has said to me that he wants me to stay and sign a new contract and that means a lot to me. That shows that I have a future at this football club."

Beckham faces facts
David Beckham insists he does not want to leave Real Madrid but admits a move cannot be ruled out.

"I've already said I'm happy in Madrid. I want to stay, but you never know in football," said the England captain yesterday. "People say players are getting sold at the end of the season but we can handle it. The motivation for us is to prove people wrong."

FA Cup times set
Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn will kick off at 12.15pm on Saturday, April 16th, while the other semi between Newcastle and Manchester United has a 2pm start on the following day.

Both ties are being held at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and Newcastle's progress to the Uefa Cup quarter-finals means their game has to be on the Sunday.

Clear cut for Pires
Arsenal forward Robert Pires says he has little hope of playing for France again under coach Raymond Domenech after being left out of the squad for next week's World Cup qualifiers.

"Frankly, the squad announcement was not a surprise," Pires said yesterday. "The coach doesn't apparently care about my performances. I'm still a candidate to play for France even if I have no illusions any more."

Schoolboys all set Republic of Ireland schoolboys manager John Michael Porter has made two changes to the team that defeated Scotland 4-1 in Banff last Friday for their encounter with England at Turner's Cross, Cork, on Friday (kick-off: 7pm).

Aaron Kearney of Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig, comes into the squad in place of Jack Douglas while goalkeeper Paul Given, a brother of senior goalkeeper Shay, returns.

Ziegler promoted
Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn has called up Tottenham's Reto Ziegler and Philippe Senderos of Arsenal to his squad for their Group Four World Cup qualifiers against France on March 26th and Cyprus four days later.

SWITZERLAND SQUAD: Zuberbuhler (Basle), Roth (Lorient), Coltorti (FC Thun); Degen (Basle), Grichting (Auxerre), Henchoz (Celtic), Magnin (Werder Bremen), Mueller (Basle), Senderos (Arsenal), Spycher (Grasshoppers); Cabanas (Grasshoppers), Huggel (Basle), Lonfat (Sochaux), Vogel (PSV Eindhoven), Wicky (Hamburg SV), H Yakin (Galatasaray), Ziegler (Tottenham); Gygax (Zurich), Frei (Rennes), Muff (Grasshoppers), Rey (Xamax), Vonlanthen (Brescia).

In brief . . .

Franz Beckenbauer is seriously considering becoming a candidate for Uefa president . . . Everton's Australian midfielder Tim Cahill has been named Oceania Football Confederation player of the year for 2004 . . . Bill McGarry, the former manager of Ipswich, Wolves and Newcastle United, has died aged 77.