TRANSFER NEWS:MANCHESTER UNITED were reluctantly discussing a compensation package for Carlos Queiroz last night after Alex Ferguson's assistant confirmed he wanted to leave the club to take over as Portugal's national manager.
A dismayed Ferguson has not given up hope of persuading him to change his mind, but there is now a general acceptance at Old Trafford that they are about to lose the services of a man Cristiano Ronaldo has described as "like a father".
Losing Queiroz will certainly be a significant setback to Ferguson's hopes of convincing Ronaldo to resist Real Madrid's advances. High-ranking officials from the Spanish club are planning to approach David Gill, United's chief executive, at the European Club Association's general assembly in Nyon today although, at this early stage, they are likely to be given short shrift. Gill has been incensed by Madrid's conduct, as well as that of Ronaldo, during an increasingly acrimonious and strategic process and will refuse to enter into negotiations in what one associate has described as a "point of principle".
The talks with the Portuguese Football Federation have been a lot more cordial and, if Queiroz gets his way, he will be confirmed as Luiz Felipe Scolari's successor this week. Queiroz, who coached Portugal between 1991 and 1993, has provisionally agreed a deal similar to his salary at Old Trafford, and has got his way after asking for a four-year contract, having initially been offered a package only until the World Cup in 2010.
"I cannot say much," he said when Portuguese journalists stopped him at Lisbon airport yesterday. "At this moment it is out of my hands. It needs to be resolved between the federation and Manchester United, and until then we have to wait calmly. I have spoken to both parties and now I am waiting for some kind of movement."
That was the first time Queiroz has spoken about the matter since holding talks with Gilberto Madail, the federation president, last Tuesday.
Queiroz informed United of his decision over the weekend and the negotiations are now so advanced Ferguson is already understood to be considering a replacement for him.
