New Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz admits he still hopes to return to Manchester United - to succeed manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"If you asked that of a million coaches, I think there is not one single coach in the world who does not have that dream. I'm one of those million coaches that shares the dream," said Queiroz, who has signed a four-year deal with the Portuguese Football Federation.

"It was a very tough decision [to leave]. I had a fantastic time with a great club and it was a privilege to work with such fantastic players and with Sir Alex. To be part of his family was such a huge feeling, so to make the decision to leave for a second time was really very difficult. But I hope and think that people understand that the challenge of being the coach of your own country is one you cannot ignore."