Jun 25
Why Carlos Queiroz is More Important than Ronaldo
Carlos Queiroz has been linked with the Portugal job since Scolari quit, and for good reason too; he’s done a great job at United and won over a lot of fans with time. The man himself has been coy over his future refusing to speak anything, citing the now popular excuse with the Man United staff for just about anything: vacation.
To questions posed he had the following reply:
“It gives me great pleasure that my name is linked. Have I been asked? I will make no comment. I will not talk about this now as I am on holiday.”
Now whilst the Portugal job would be something that would tempt any Portuguese, I think losing Carlos would be much bigger than any loss at United in recent times — to me it certainly is bigger than losing Ronaldo.
Initially when he started out I wasn’t quite convinced about him. I still think he may be suspect as a man manager or motivator, but over the past three years, he has really grown in stature in the United dressing room and has been the one figure that has helped unite a lot of the foreign contingent; most notably, Ronaldo, Anderson, Nani and, to a certain extent, Tevez (due to his knowledge of Spanish).
If Ronaldo were to leave and so were Queiroz, one would wonder what would happen to the likes of Nani and Anderson who have always admitted looking up to the duo for guidance. Queiroz has also been the person most involved in the technical aspect of the team: the daily training routine, the tactics etc. Him leaving would leave a gaping void, whilst not being as big as the day Fergie leaves but a void, nonetheless.
Fergie is not as hands on and usually maintains a good distance from the players, but Queiroz is the father figure, the counsellor and the one players look to on a daily basis. So if he leaves, it would be a bad thing for United at the moment.
It’s also a tough thing for the club, because no one can assure him a spot as the next manager of United. And as long as the club doesn’t give him any assurances, it’s going to be a tough task trying to convince Queiroz to pass up on a golden opportunity to coach his country.
Meanwhile, in related news, Queiroz urges Ronaldo to stay, saying United is best suited to Ronaldo.
“Manchester United is very special,” Queiroz told the Portuguese radio station Renascenca. “Because of that we know how to surround Cristiano completely with all the affection and all the attention he deserves. However, not speaking is the most sensible course of action at this moment, so that we don’t contribute to a less than positive spectacle and so we don’t aid those whose interests are difficult to identify.”
However, all said and done, it’s the Portuguese gaffer that’s most important to United’s fortunes at the moment.
What do you think? Would he stay? How crucial a role do you think Carlos Queiroz plays for United — is he that important?
Related items from Red Rants:
- Fletch For Everton? Pako for a ‘Thrilled’ Queiroz?
- Nani and Anderson – The Future Gets Brighter
- Who Should Be United’s Captain Next Season?
- United Return to Action From Saturday As Queiroz Departs
- Sir Alex Ferguson’s Successor
Tags: Manchester United News
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OUCH! Red Ranter, that hurt.
Actually you are correct there. They band together and have an us vs the world mentality and it works for them. I hate to say it but their playing style is somewhat similar in terms of pace and the reliance on set pieces, physical play and height. A very accurate and incredibly painful comparison. You owe me one RR. I’ll tell you though, if Schweinsteiger, Arshavin and Huntelaar end up in Chelsea, I’m not going to be a happy camper. My allegiance will always be with United but that team will have a lot of my faves on it. Up to now I was able to live with just Ballack on that team. I don’t know, It could get tough for me. 
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Liam; Honestly I don’t think Lehmann is to blame for either goal. The first goal was a semi deflection that loops over him and hits the post and then the goal scorer had an absolute sitter that Lehmann almost to his credit saved. You’d have to be Mario Gomez to miss that chance. The second he covered well as he protected the near post but Lahm let the first man get around him and then the little Semi (as I call him) just beat out a fast asleep Mertesacker to the near post. Again, I could see no other option for Lehmann. I actually think he has been solid all tournament but has been the victim of poor marking, funny ricochets, deflections and some bad luck.
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Nino; Yet again I will have to try to correct somebody because of their opinions of players they hardly see. Going in to today’s game Lahm had more than justified his reputation as the world’s best fullbavk. He has been outstanding. And even if he did have a poor defensive game today, he set up one goal and scored the winner with a piece of individual skill and striker-like finishing. He also deserved to get a penalty call in his favor early in the first half. Yes he made one bad pass in the first half and let a few crosses in and then got skinned badly for the second Turkish goal but his great moment still outshone his bad ones.
Not his best night for sure but then again, a night where he scored the goal of his career. Watching him game in and game out in the Bundesliga is a treat. Yes he had a poor second leg game against Zenit but in fairness, the whole Bayern team took the night off then.
Lahm is world class and an incredible threat from either side. Nothing against Evra except he can’t finish and he can’t cross worth a lick. Lahm can do both and he actually proved it tonight with a goal and an assist.
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@AGP: How can you put Quaresma in that category? I know a lot of you dont rate him but I have seen countless times and he is pure class. His situation at Barca was almost the exact opposite situation ronaldo had at united. They both showed flashes of brilliance followed by horrible plays. Fergie stood behind him, and let him become the player he is now. Rijkaard just killed his confidence. He has regained his swagger and i think Fergie could really push his game to another level, I dont know why people are so down on Quaresma.
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Tomas; If I honestly feel the comment is meant for me because of the wording of the comment or because I was the one voice on the other side, I will comment. Sorry if you disagree with it but I can’t alter my personality due to your objections. I didn’t throw insults or call anybody names. I just wanted to make it clear that I who have been a loud. long time and obvious Arshavin advocate was not lumped into a group of bandwagon jumpers. I get blamed for enough on this site. Forgive me then if I’m a bit oversensitive. And yes you are very correct. I’m a stubborn old grognard.
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Nino; Spain is overrated and they proved it against Greece and Italy. Germany just can’t get any respect. Don’t compare them to that uninspiring and boring bunch from 2002. This team has scored 10 goals in 5 games and 6 in knockout competition. How is that a fluke? Germany earned all three of their goals where Turkey’s goals for me were flukes. I agree about their defense. Mertesacker and Metzelder are quality league players but internationally they cannot easily cope with the pace. Their defense has been a mess and that is why Russia and only Russia will beat them. Spain is good but they already know who they are and a big choke is coming. I think it will be tomorrow. The problem with Spain is that their best midfielder is on the bench and that’s Fabregas. Iniesta has been horrible and Xavi has been average at best. It’s Arshavin, Zhirkov, Pavlyuchenko and others who scare me. I also think Russia in a knoickout game of do or die will have a superior edge in coaching. I really don’t rate that old goat Aragones very high and I think Hiddink will have some surprises for them.
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johnsom33; I don’t disagree with you but if he truly was at a higher level like you say, would he not win a spot as a starter for Portugal over that waste of space Subrosa Simao? I think Quaresma has a reputation of not showing up in big games or against big teams. That may be why not too many teams are mentioned when it comes to him. Just my take on the situation.
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Well I have some good news to report. Setanta is reporting that Manchester United is one of five teams to make a bid for Andrei Arshavin. See, I told you guys I had clout at OT. Fergie is damned well scared of pissing me off.
Also, reports are saying that Ronaldo has confirmed that he will report to United on time for pre-season training on July 12. WOW! That I must admit is a bit of a shocker. But what does it mean? He’s just coming to get his foot looked at or he wants to finally have it out with Fergie?
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Wow. New smilies eh Rants boy? Loverly.
Anyone believe we can eliminate a winger based style of play at United altogether if CR7 leaves this summer? How about the kind of game AC Milan play? No wings, no crossing, but three AM’s behind a striker. And both our forwards are incredibly short, so crosses aren’t much help anyway.
Whatsay?
Oh and Grog against fuck all was brilliant to watch. I just love this one man army from Canada/Greece. Tell me about that connction again sometime Grogger…
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@Grognard: Regarding Arshavin I wouldn’t get too excited already. There’s nothing concrete for us to assume that United is indeed interested. But assuming that five clubs are interested, and the fact that Arshavin mentioned in the interview to the BBC that he likes Fergie, Wenger and Scolari, and that he is a bloody good player — we ought to be interested. I am not denying that we aren’t interested in him, nor am I saying that we have lodged a bid. But the safe course is for us not to buy into reports until there is something concrete. Otherwise, it’ll hurt us real bad for getting carried away by a Setanta report sans any substantial quote to prove United are interested.
I’d love it if we sign him, but I’ll hold on to it just yet — because I don’t expect any activity until July 1st.
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im sorry grognard, but to be honest, germany where below poor, that couldnt handle the passing of a turkish reserve side, and it was the reserve side that should of won.
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Dan; I agree that the Germans played like rubbish. But that’s what’s great about them. They play a terrible game and still score 3 goals and win. The other thing is the never play two bad games in a row. They were slow and sluggish. Ballack needs to have a much better game in the final. I’d like to say I’m confident about the final but Rusia scares me to death with their passing and pace. Spain surprisingly doesn’t scare me. Germany has made a habit of taking care of all other giants except Italy and Brazil If they play Spain, they will win. Russia on the other hand is a bloody scary problem to solve. They need to attack them with hig balls into the box and not let them get wide on them defensively.
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Dan; Turkey shoulda, coulda and wouda but Germany dida. The final score is all that matters.
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For the sake and love of good football Spain should win the competion now. Frankly I am fed up with this tournament now and really don’t get a fuck who wins.
Once it is over we can concentrate on all things United and the world will be a better place!!!!!!!!!!
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@Grognard: Sorry but I disagree with you on this occasion. I know you are a passionate Germany fan from your rants and I appreciate that you are only ever going to say good things about your team and stick up for them. However, from a neutral perspective, I think Germany have been desperately unconvincing for the most part of the tournament, bar the Portugal game, and even you must admit they rode their luck at times last night. Turkey, with their depleted team, were looking very dangerous in the 1st half and should have put the game out of sight before half-time in my opinion, what with Kazim hitting the woodwork twice and Semih and Hamit forcing a couple of very good saves. So they can count themselves very fortunate to have overcome the Turks. Also Lehmann, throughout the tournament and especially in the Turkey game, was looking very shaky and that can hardly have inspired confidence in his defenders can it? That is why I say the Germans have fluked their way to a major final once again despite being decidedly average (granted they are not as bad as the 2002 cohort though!) and I stand by that statement.
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