Queiroz interview to Expresso

Sly

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So Carlos Queiroz gave an interview to the Expresso, Portugal's biggest newspaper (size and sales wise). It has very interesting details about United and his relationship with SAF and Ronaldo. It's a pretty big interview but i'm only going to translate the United parts (although his Real Madrid and Portugal NT are interesting as well). So here it goes (apologize in advance for the errors, english not my first language).

Expresso: So you could say that in your career, you trained the best in the World.

Carlos Queiroz: Of course. But now i have to talk about SAF. Before i agreed to join Real, i had a meeting with him in the South of France. We sit and he warned me about the dangers of joining Madrid. But he also said that i could return anytime. He said "i would be disappointed with you if you didn't go".

Expresso: And then you went back to Manchester, for your previous job. Did you ever thought about about being manager of Manchester United?

CQ: Yes i thought about that and even had an arrangement with SAF. But then i opted to join the Portuguese NT. I had a signed pre-contract with United. When SAF retired, i would take over. I could have gone to Tottenham but SAF arranged a breakfast meeting when things began to become sour at Madrid. He said "i'm waiting for you". My relationship with him came from way back.

Expresso: Why did SAF looked for you in the first place?

CQ: Alex wanted a coach who could communicate in a different way with french, south african players etc.

Expresso: A continental coach?

CQ: Correct. I speak English, a bit of italian, spanish and french. I had the adequate profile. I confess that it wasn't easy. I was a manager but i was going for an assistant/coach job. But i thought "i'm going to a massive club and getting paid for that". But they got me in a "curve", because i was a continental europe assistant manager. It's different from being an English/british assistant manager. The English/british assistant manager has to Control and manage everything (laughs). I remember the first training session, i knocked on SAF's door and asked, "so what am i doing?" and his answer was, "you asking me? Why would i know? That's why i hired you. Just take care of it". I didn't want to look like a fool, so i picked a paper and invented a training routine out of nothing. Do you know how big is United's technical staff?

(Cont in next post)
 
Expresso: Big?

CQ: Few. It was me, SAF, goalkeeper coach and a fitness coach who couldn't get on the pitch. Fewer than what i had at Sporting. Which means, after 17 years, they put me working again when i thought i was going there to learn. I did everything: Coach, fitness, technical part and recovery.

Expresso: Back to United. How was SAF's relationship with the players? Was he tough?

CQ: He was a leader and i learned alot. He was tough, yes, but for example that story about the football boot that hit Beckham didn't happen exactly as reported. He kicked the boot, it hit some furniture and went straight at David's head, hitting him near the eye.

Expresso: What about Ronaldo's impact?

CQ: In one of the first United's scouting meeting, i told them that they should buy Ronaldo and Quaresma. Not picking between the two but both. So i arranged that collaboration protocol between Sporting and United which was good for both parties. Meanwhile i was off to Madrid, and that Alvalade game happens and Ronaldo destroys everything. Of course SAF agreed to buy him and i was left with nothing because i wanted him at Madrid (laughs). When i return to Manchester, Ronaldo was already a star. He brought to the team something that United players had only seen with Giggs. I remember Ferdinand and Scholes yelling at me "Carlos, tell Cristiano to stay wide, we're going to put the ball there" and i was "Feck me. Cristiano stay in the line, they want to pass you the ball but they can't find you". Ronaldo was always going to the middle because he wanted to pick the ball everytime.

Expresso: You were like a father?

CQ: He's the one who has to tell that.

Expresso: Do you resent him?

CQ: No. Not at all

Expresso: Did you speak again?

CQ: Never spoke to Cristiano again since 2010.

Expresso: But you didn't like him saying "ask Carlos" when things went bad?

CQ: Ronaldo was made captain in a time where there was no leadership in the portuguese NT. Fernando Couto, Rui Costa, Figo etc all left. He wasn't mature enough to be captain. Besides, that year wasn't good for Ronaldo because he had injuries. But about Ronaldo, i tell you something. It was me who first mentioned him to United. It was me who convinced him to return to Manchester after the 2006 WC, after the Rooney incident. It was in my Lisbon house, that he met with me and SAF after the 2008 CL win and we convinced him to sign a document that stated "One more year at United and then you are off to Madrid". I don't owe anything to Ronaldo. And he doesn't owe anything to me either. Our history goes far beyond the portuguese NT incident. I hope people understand that this is a closed chapter.

The rest is about Sporting, South African NT, Real Madrid, Iran and Portugal NT. He did one final mention of SAF. That SAF told him after he allowed him to return from Madrid, that if Benfica wanted him, they had to pay United. No more freebies :lol:

That's it. The Madrid part is incredible, shows how Florentino works but i´m too lazy to translate today. Maybe tomorrow.
 
Thanks for posting this and taking the time to translate for us. Enjoyed reading that.
 
Brilliant stuff, thank you for posting. Would like to hear the Madrid bit if you get the time.


I wonder how he would have done as United manager? I would have to assume badly based on his record everywhere else
 
Sly said:
CQ: Yes i thought about that and even had an arrangement with SAF. But then i opted to join the Portuguese NT. I had a signed pre-contract with United. When SAF retired, i would take over. I could have gone to Tottenham but SAF arranged a breakfast meeting when things began to become sour at Madrid. He said "i'm waiting for you". My relationship with him came from way back.
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Interesting.

Thanks for the translation, @Sly.
 
No worries gents. Always a pleasure helping out the Caf.
 
Tiber said:
Brilliant stuff, thank you for posting. Would like to hear the Madrid bit if you get the time.


I wonder how he would have done as United manager? I would have to assume badly based on his record everywhere else
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I will do it tomorrow. I planned on it because the part about Florentino is amazing. What a circus :lol:
 
Tiber said:
Brilliant stuff, thank you for posting. Would like to hear the Madrid bit if you get the time.


I wonder how he would have done as United manager? I would have to assume badly based on his record everywhere else
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Maybe, but he was also part of a hugely successful set up. He wouldn't have torn everything up like Moyes. Maybe he would have been a success here as manager/head coach
 
Interesting read, thanks. Carlos was fantastic for us, I would say he earns equal credit with Sir Alex for turning us in to a force in Europe during his stint here. Bridging that gap to the continental player is huge, it can't be underestimated. During Fergie's career, English football moved from being comprised of primarily British players, to having a large amount of players from around the globe. He was a great coach for us, he deserves a lot of credit for our success.
 
The trust SAF placed in the people he believed had the talent to what he needed them to do went a long way to achieving what he did. You never get that same feeling with a lot of managers, I can't imagine a Mourinho or a Guardiola giving their assistant free reign over basically everything. That is why the team almost felt like it ran itself in his latter years, not playing great but always winning.

The Keane/Queiroz spat is interesting too in that SAF backed Queiroz ahead of someone who had given their all on the pitch for the club. He did not let sentiment or reputation come ahead of what he valued in Queiroz and what he perceived to be negative on the entire team from Keane. Keane was so driven and demanding but SAF knew with Ronaldo etc. and the profile of the new modern player that he could never have a Keane within the team if he wanted to succeed (although the diminishing powers on the pitch helped hasten the exit). Did Queiroz speak on this @Sly ?
 
ArmchairCritic said:
The Keane/Queiroz spat is interesting too in that SAF backed Queiroz ahead of someone who had given their all on the pitch for the club. He did not let sentiment or reputation come ahead of what he valued in Queiroz and what he perceived to be negative on the entire team from Keane. Keane was so driven and demanding but SAF knew with Ronaldo etc. and the profile of the new modern player that he could never have a Keane within the team if he wanted to succeed (although the diminishing powers on the pitch helped hasten the exit). Did Queiroz speak on this @Sly ?
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Nope mate. But i think i translated an interview some years ago for the Caf that mentioned that incident. Something like Keane was close to twatting Queiroz at the Algarve.

Edit: here it is @ArmchairCritic, i´ll copy paste my post:

Well i for one love Keane. Even more now. Apparently he was very close to twatting Queiroz. Damm shame he didn´t. Some parts of his book are being mentioned in the portuguese press

http://www.ojogo.pt/Internacional/interior.aspx?content_id=4164998

Translating the best parts quickly:

"Him (Carlos Queiroz) was behind me and i just don´t know why i didn´t hit him. He was criticizing me and at a certain time he used the word loyalty. I told him, don´t you dare talking about loyalty. You left this club after 12 months to join Real Madrid. Don´t you dare to question my loyalty. I had the chance to join Juventus and Bayern."

This discussion occurred in 2005 during a training session at the Algarve and got to a point where Ferguson had to intervene. "He said, that´s enough, i´m sick of this". To what Keane replied "You too boss. We need you. We are sleeping behind other teams"

Keane then tried reconciliation with both Ferguson and Queiroz.
 
Sly said:
Nope mate. But i think i translated an interview some years ago for the Caf that mentioned that incident. Something like Keane was close to twatting Queiroz at the Algarve.
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Yeah Keane said so himself. Incredible payoff for SAF only 3 years later.
 
Sly said:
Edit: here it is @ArmchairCritic, i´ll copy paste my post:

Well i for one love Keane. Even more now. Apparently he was very close to twatting Queiroz. Damm shame he didn´t. Some parts of his book are being mentioned in the portuguese press

http://www.ojogo.pt/Internacional/interior.aspx?content_id=4164998

Translating the best parts quickly:

"Him (Carlos Queiroz) was behind me and i just don´t know why i didn´t hit him. He was criticizing me and at a certain time he used the word loyalty. I told him, don´t you dare talking about loyalty. You left this club after 12 months to join Real Madrid. Don´t you dare to question my loyalty. I had the chance to join Juventus and Bayern."

This discussion occurred in 2005 during a training session at the Algarve and got to a point where Ferguson had to intervene. "He said, that´s enough, i´m sick of this". To what Keane replied "You too boss. We need you. We are sleeping behind other teams"

Keane then tried reconciliation with both Ferguson and Queiroz.
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Yeah. Phenomenal player and sad end to his career but I can see why SAF had to get rid of Keane, just not the right environment to create for Ronaldo etc. to thrive.
 
El Zoido said:
Interesting read, thanks. Carlos was fantastic for us, I would say he earns equal credit with Sir Alex for turning us in to a force in Europe during his stint here. Bridging that gap to the continental player is huge, it can't be underestimated. During Fergie's career, English football moved from being comprised of primarily British players, to having a large amount of players from around the globe. He was a great coach for us, he deserves a lot of credit for our success.
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Equal credit with Frogie...? How do you know what Queiroz really did here? Has SAF ever spoken about him at length?
 
Another interesting thing is how would Quaresma's career went if he came with Ronaldo, I think he would have reached somewhere near Robben. He had the talent and Sir Alex's guidance would have given him an extra level imo.
 
whatwha said:
Equal credit with Frogie...? How do you know what Queiroz really did here? Has SAF ever spoken about him at length?
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I remember Neville credited him with our tactics beating Barcelona at OT in 2008.
 
flappyjay said:
Another interesting thing is how would Quaresma's career went if he came with Ronaldo, I think he would have reached somewhere near Robben. He had the talent and Sir Alex's guidance would have given him an extra level imo.
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This most definitely, I do wonder what would have happened to Ronaldo under the tutelage of Wenger if he had signed for Arsenal. There is no doubting the effect that a manager can have on the mentality of player
 
flappyjay said:
Another interesting thing is how would Quaresma's career went if he came with Ronaldo, I think he would have reached somewhere near Robben. He had the talent and Sir Alex's guidance would have given him an extra level imo.
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Probably. What's certain is that he would do a better job than Mourinho and Rijkaard. The problem with Quaresma is his drive and work ethic. He's supremely talented, better than Ronaldo technically, but with 1/3 of his mental strenght and work rate.
 
Peyroteo said:
Is there a link to this @Sly? I'd like to read the rest of it but can't find anything
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No link yet. I did a freestyle translation. I always buy Expresso on saturday and that Queiroz interview was the highlight of the magazine this weekend. You have to buy the newspaper.
 
Sly said:
No link yet. I did a freestyle translation. I always buy Expresso on saturday and that Queiroz interview was the highlight of the magazine this weekend. You have to buy the newspaper.
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Oh well.. hopefully they put it online soon. Thanks anyway!
 
Peyroteo said:
Oh well.. hopefully they put it online soon. Thanks anyway!
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It's great for Sporting fans. He details the genius of Sousa Cintra and how he bought Naybet and Amunike. Hilarious stuff. Queiroz seemed like a good sport in this interview. Honest and with funny stories. It's a really good read and this comes from someone who doesn't like him.
 
Sly said:
It's great for Sporting fans. He details the genius of Sousa Cintra and how he bought Naybet and Amunike. Hilarious stuff. Queiroz seemed like a good sport in this interview. Honest and with funny stories. It's a really good read and this comes from someone who doesn't like him.
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I'm not sure I want to be reminded of some of those deals :lol:

I don't like him either but this sounds like a fantastic interview. I'll make sure to read it.
 
Peyroteo said:
I'm not sure I want to be reminded of some of those deals :lol:

I don't like him either but this sounds like a fantastic interview. I'll make sure to read it.
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Well as someone who remembers well that team from 1994/95, tbf with him he really added much more quality to the team signing players like Naybet, Marco Aurelio, Amunike,Sa Pinto, Oceano, Carlos Xavier, his problem was always the human relations with the players, best examples from that era are Cadete and Balakov, tbh he really is good at scouting national or international players, while JJ :wenger:
 
Thanks Sky, that was a good read. Looking forward to the Madrid (and all the other juicy bits, your time permitting)
 
Frasbul said:
@Sly can you give a short summary about what he said about Iran?
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I'll be honest, i didn't pay attention to the Iran part. I just read some praise about the country. I'll check it again tomorrow mate.
 
Sounds like a brilliant coach but a terrible manager. Although I think he would have been fine as utd manager. Football management is one of those unique jobs where different skill sets and personalities can succeed, there is no one set way. Promoting from within with a coach who might not necessarily succeed elsewhere but can here because of the set up and conditions can be just as likely to bring success as a proven winner.

Also highlights further how Ferguson just knew exactly what to do and when to do it. He might have lost touch with transfers towards the end but he knew how to win and had a remarkable knack for creating the right environment and conditions to negate his weaknesses and find solutions to the top. Not a manager who has come close to replicating it. Truly one of a kind.
 
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