Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has dropped a bombshell by admitting his wish to coach Portugal.

By Mohd Sham (espnstar.com)

The Portuguese tactician is the overwhelming favourite to take over the hot seat from the departed Luiz Felipe Scolari, who jumped ship to Chelsea.

While it is understood that his current employers Manchester United are unwilling to part with the innovative assistant coach and have having offered him a considerable pay raise in order to tempt him to stay, Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant is hungry to return to the coaching spotlight since his doomed spell as Real Madrid gaffer in 2003.

But the Mozambique-born coach, who has already signaled his intention to coach his country, according to reports, has left the resolution of his future to be dealt with by negotiations between the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and Manchester United.

"I do not have much to talk, this matter has to be solved by the two institutions," Queiroz said upon his arrival at the Portela airport. "Little can I add to what you already know. It is out of my hands."