Now it’s adios Queiroz

NEW Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz insisted last night that there was no friction between David Beckham and Alex Ferguson at his former club Manchester United.

The 50-year-old Mozambique-born Portuguese coach made his comments as he was presented by club president Florentino Perez at a press conference, after they had reached agreement for him to replace Vicente Del Bosque.

Queiroz, assistant manager at United before joining Madrid, said: "I have never seen any friction between Beckham and Ferguson. Ferguson has been like a father to Beckham and they get on well."

On Beckham, with whom he will be reunited at Real after the England captain's transfer last week, he added: "He is a superb professional, an excellent player. He trains a great deal and even trained once with a rib injury when he shouldn't have."

He also had high praise for Ferguson. "He's an incredible man, the greatest I have known in football and perhaps outside it. He is a person of great sensitivity and humanity."

Queiroz also aimed a swipe at his predecessor Vicente Del Bosque, by declaring the star-studded Spanish giants could play better as a team.

"It is pointless to ask me to do my best because I am replacing Del Bosque. We are at Real Madrid and it is normal that it is demanded we do our best," he said.

"As for the stars, it is not possible to get them to play better, but it is possible to get them to play better football as a team."

Perez for his part demanded that Queiroz, who has previously coached two of the club's stars Luis Figo and new signing David Beckham, at Sporting Lisbon and United respectively provide spectacular football, although many believed that Del Bosque had already achieved that.

"Queiroz accepted the challenge of becoming the coach of the best club in the world with the best players in the world, and therefore his task is to offer the best football in the world," said Perez.

"He must not only win but also give us a spectacular show."

Meanwhile, the deal has left Alex Ferguson under pressure to deliver some good news after the departures of Queiroz and Beckham to Madrid.

That adds even more importance to the club's efforts to bring in Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho, whose future will be decided by a series of meetings with officials from his club Paris St Germain today.

A final outcome is due tomorrow afternoon, which gives Ferguson 48 hours to sweat over whether he will land his major summer transfer target.

"We will be speaking to PSG a lot over the next few days," confirmed the player's agent Roberto Assis. "They want him to stay but there are many things to discuss, and it is too early to say what will happen."

And although Assis confirmed yesterday that Ronaldinho would be "honoured" to sign for Manchester United, it is thought the man who scuppered England's World Cup hopes might just prefer a move to Spain, raising the uncomfortable prospect that he too could end up at Real.

In the short term, the transition is likely to be seamless, with former Red Devils midfielder Mike Phelan, already a valued member of Ferguson's coaching team, stepping into the void.

However, with Brian McClair and Francisco Filho enjoying success on the youth front, Ferguson is likely to look outside the club for a permanent replacement.

While the likes of Bryan Robson, Alex McLeish and even current captain Roy Keane are bound to be mentioned, it is more likely that Ferguson will look for a continental appointment, in an effort to maximise his chances of being able to exploit the foreign transfer market.

lArsenal warned United yesterday that their inspirational captain Patrick Vieira was not for sale.

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein insisted there was no question of Vieira who has a year remaining on his contract being sold, as the Gunners try to regain their championship crown from United.

"Patrick Vieira is not for sale," said Dein, who is involved in negotiations over a new contract for the Frenchman. "We have not had any inquiry from Manchester United for Patrick, and even in the event of one he is not for sale."

Meanwhile, Brazilian legend Pelé believes David Beckham will quickly adapt to life in Spain with Real Madrid.

The England captain made the £25 million switch to the Bernabeu last week from Manchester United, and Pelé, who won the World Cup three times with Brazil, believes he will find life in Spain tricky at first.

But Pelé insists Beckham has the ability to quickly change his style of play to cope with the game in Spain.

He told Virgin Radio: "When you change country you sometimes need some time to adjust. Maybe in Spain he will have a little problem in the beginning, but I think for the good players it is generally very easy."

Pelé also claims Beckham's lofty transfer fee and equally lucrative personal terms are money well spent in today's climate.

He added: "Today they pay a lot for the players. It is a different world with promotion, media, publicity the clubs have more to offer.

"But he deserves it, he is a player who has played for a long time at the top level, has proved his ability and a player who plays for the team."