subject: Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz sacked [print this page] Queiroz has been assistant manager at Manchester United
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has been sacked with immediate effect.
The move comes a week after the 57-year-old was suspended for six months for disrupting an anti-doping test.
The former Manchester United assistant boss was also criticised for Portugal's poor performance at the 2010 World Cup finals and in Euro 2012 qualifiers.
"Carlos Queiroz's contract is settled with immediate effect," said the Portuguese Football Federation (PFF).
"This decision has been communicated to Carlos Queiroz, who will receive the reasons for the decision first hand."
Queiroz, a former Real Madrid boss, had two years left on his contract.
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His lawyer, Rui Patricio, said the sacking had '"the inevitable path" but added he would fight it.
"We are not satisfied with the fact that Queiroz's rights are not being respected," stated Patricio.
"If the contract has been terminated without just cause, there has to be compensation. If there has been interference from the government then international organisations, and I mean Fifa of course, will be alerted."
Queiroz was suspended for one month for misconduct in August after he was found to have insulted an anti-doping team and upset their work.
The ban, which related to a test performed in May, was later extended to six months.
Queiroz has denied wrongdoing. None of the players tested positive.
We are not satisfied with the fact that Queiroz's rights are not being respected
Queiroz's lawyer Rui Patricio
The coach, appointed in 2008, has been under pressure following Portugal's exit at hand the last-16 stage of the World Cup to eventual winners Spain.
The team have also had their worst start to a European championship qualifying campaign since 1996.
They lost 1-0 to Norway on Tuesday and drew 4-4 with Cyprus in the opening game. Queiroz's assistant, Agostinho Oliveira, was in charge for those matches.
The PFF said it hoped to appoint a successor to Queiroz before Portugal's Euro 2012 qualifier against Denmark on 8 October.
