Queiroz axed by Portugal

The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed the news, just two days after the national team suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Norway in the latest round of Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Queiroz is currently serving a six-month ban for his alleged misbehaviour during an anti-doping testing session at a training camp in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup, and was not on the bench for his side's defeat.

Portugal was also held to a 4-4 draw with Cyprus in its opening qualifier last week, and the team's lack of performance on the pitch, allied to Queiroz's alleged misdemeanour off it, has forced the Portuguese federation to act.

The former Manchester United assistant manager had two years remaining on his contract with the Portuguese federation.

A federation statement read: "Given the recent events, and after reviewing the current situation concerning the national coach, the directorate of the FPF decided unanimously [to end] the contract ... with the national coach, Carlos Queiroz, with immediate effect.

"This decision was communicated to Carlos Queiroz."

The statement added that the search for new coach would begin immediately with a view to having a new man in place in time for the team's next qualifier at home to Denmark on 8 October.

The statement added: "[The FPF will] start immediately contacts and talks with a view to hiring a technician who performs the functions of national coach in time to prepare and lead the team in the forthcoming qualifying matches for Euro 2012."

This year has been dogged by controversy for Queiroz, with the 57-year-old involved in a physical altercation with a Portuguese journalist in February, while there were reports of a World Cup spat with Deco prior to his alleged run-in with Portugal's anti-doping authority.

Agostinho Oliveira has deputised for Queiroz in Portugal's opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers, with the stand-in coach presiding over the country's worst start to a qualifying campaign since 1996.

Portugal is currently second from bottom in Group H and already trails leader Norway by five points.