CQ: Back Me Or Sack Me!
Coach Carlos Queiroz’s campaign to succeed Sir Alex has moved into higher gear with a new ‘back me or sack me’ ultimatum to United’s bosses.
“I came here with a set of well defined functions which I carry out today and which I can do in the future,” he says in the News of the World.
“The conditions are here for me to stay another eight or 10 years. Sir Alex is happy, I’m happy, the Glazers are happy. If they think I should stay on, it is up to them. I’ve got extremely comfortable conditions in Manchester.”
Ferguson’s right hand man has become increasingly bold in his public comments on taking over the United hotseat. In this latest newspaper interview, the 54 year old tactician went for broke by admitting that it is United or bust, ruling out the possibility that he will be a candidate to succeed Felipe Scolari next year when the Brazilian steps down as Portugal’s national team coach.
“No Portuguese coach should ignore that possibility but I’m not offering myself,” he says. “Nor will I be available at any price.”
Queiroz’s belief that he can create his own United dynasty, brings fresh intensity to the United succession race, as Sir Alex prepares to celebrate his 66th birthday. Just last month, bookmakers were tipping Mark Hughes as the favourite with Queiroz joining Roy Keane in second place.
As in previous press comments, the NOTW interview again signalled the likely main points of Queiroz’s campaign - that he will present himself as the inside candidate and the manager least likely to break with the Ferguson legacy.
