Got the proper article.
Laurent Blanc seems to be favourite in the proper article.
Manchester United look to replace Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant Carlos Queiroz
By Mark Ogden
Last Updated: 7:27am BST 08/07/2008
Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to recruit an assistant manager with an established network of continental contacts if, as expected, Carlos Queiroz resigns his post as the Scot's right-hand man at United to succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari as the Portugal coach.
Queiroz is understood to have informed Ferguson and United chief executive David Gill that he will accept the four-year contract offered by the Portugal football federation president Gilberto Madail, but a deal has yet to be rubber-stamped with Gill and Madail still to agree a compensation package for the 55-year-old. United are privately resigned to losing Queiroz but are believed to be holding out for £800,000.
Speaking in Portugal yesterday, Queiroz said: ''I want all parties involved to come to an agreement quickly, but from my point of view it's an easy deal."
His departure would be a significant blow to Ferguson, who has rarely hidden his admiration for Queiroz. The former Real Madrid coach has been credited by Ferguson with identifying the talents of Nani and Anderson, the two players recruited from Sporting Lisbon and Porto last summer and, crucially, masterminding Cristiano Ronaldo's development.
Indeed, so successful has Queiroz been since returning to United for a second spell following his departure from Madrid in 2004, Ferguson is ready to use the Mozambique-born coach as the blueprint in his search for a successor.
At 66, Ferguson has acknowledged the requirement for a younger assistant with an in-depth knowledge of the global market, but replacing Queiroz like-for-like will be a challenge.
Laurent Blanc, the former United and France defender, has emerged as a leading candidate after guiding Bordeaux to second spot in the French league last season. Ferguson is a long-standing admirer of the 42-year-old, who he has credited with inspiring defenders Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown during his two-year playing stint at the club.
Pako Ayesteran, the former Liverpool coach, is also well-regarded within Old Trafford circles.
Academy director Brian McClair, first-team coach Mike Phelan and Rene Meulensteen, United's highly-rated technical skills development coach, are among those likely to be considered as temporary replacements for Queiroz.
Blanc heads race to be Ferguson’s new No 2 at Old Trafford
Laurent Blanc: Sir Alex Ferguson has often praised Blanc’s influence on United’s youngsters during his two-year playing stint at Old Trafford. Now managing Bordeaux, Blanc has the youth and Continental contacts which are viewed as essential by the United manager.
Brian McClair: Despite a brief and unsuccessful spell as assistant to Brian Kidd at Blackburn, McClair has since impressed behind the scenes at Old Trafford, managing the reserve team and heading up the club’s academy.
Rene Meulensteen: Dutchman presently working as United’s technical skills development coach, but highly regarded by Ferguson. Coached United’s reserves before taking over as Brondby coach in 2006. Returned to United 12 months later.
Pako Ayesteran: Both United and Chelsea were linked with the Spaniard when he ended a lengthy partnership with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez last season. He is now a coach with Benfica, but Ferguson would relish hiring a man with an in-depth knowledge of one of United greatest rivals.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/07/08/sfnman108.xml
