Portugal NT fans: Love him or not, at least we have a new coach now.

[raichelisic.livejournal.com]

Official: Paulo Bento named Portugal coach

Portugal have confirmed Paulo Bento as their new coach of the national side following the departure of Carlos Queiroz. The former Sporting Lisbon manager has agreed a two-year deal that will see him take charge until the completion of the European Championship in 2012. Bento was capped 35 times by Portugal during his playing days as a defensive midfielder and has had two spells in charge of Sporting  as well as a period at the Benfica helm.)

Former boss Queiroz was dismissed earlier in the month after leading his side to a poor start to the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Portugal have only managed one point from two games in Group H and are already five points behind leaders Denmark.

Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madail launched an attempt to secure the services of Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho on a temporary basis but his effort was thwarted by Los Merengues president Florentino Perez. Bento now has the task of turning around the fortunes of the national side, after they crashed out in the second round of the World Cup to Spain.

His first game in charge will be a crunch clash against Denmark on Friday October 8 as Portugal look to peg back the group leaders.

Source and the official
announcement on the FPF website: http://www.fpf.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_FUTEBOL/SELECCOES/NOTICIA?notid=9589484

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First of all he didn't manage Benfica (but he did play for them).. ignore that part in the article.

His presentation will be tomorrow at midday and the assistants coming with him are Leonel Pontes, João Aroso and Ricardo Peres (goalkeeper coach). I'm just excited that my no. 1 favourite NT has a new coach now and also glad the Queiroz vs FPF circus and Mourinho drama o rama  is over. This man may not be the perfect man for the job, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt and support him. Getting the six points will be really really nice.

(Please don't kill me, this is my first post ever in this community)

Comments

[verses.livejournal.com]

Just curious, who would you pick? I can't think of another coach that's actually PORTUGUESE who wouldn't play bitch for the FPF (Mou aside, obviously).

[raichelisic.livejournal.com]

Hiddink but he's not Portuguese obviously.. just hoping he'd leave Turkey but that's not possible either.

At least they only hired him for only two years.

[verses.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah, I would totally take Hiddink. But if we're going to go Portuguese, I think this is the best call. I agree, we won't be stuck if he fails miserably.

[raichelisic.livejournal.com]

Yep, or if he does a good job they can always renew. Is it October now?

[raichelisic.livejournal.com]

Geez, I hope not.. as if this year wasn't full of drama already. >.<