Portugal have lashed out at Chelsea for announcing during Euro 2008 that Luiz Felipe Scolari had accepted an offer to coach the club.
Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madail addressed the media on Friday following his team's elimination from the European Championship at the hands of Germany the previous night, and believes the timing of the announcement of Scolari's impending departure had a destabilising effect.
"It wasn't the best moment for us for Chelsea to announce Scolari's appointment," said Madail. "I know Scolari had nothing to do with it and I was surprised not by the appointment, because Scolari is a great coach, but at the timing chosen.
"I wish Chelsea would have consulted us before so that we could have chosen a better time."
Madail conceded that Scolari's departure was inevitable.
"I knew when we entered the tournament that Scolari would leave," he said.
"We respected his wishes. His cycle with Portugal had ended because he wanted a new experience with a club.
"There was nothing we could do. It was a financial issue and we couldn't match Chelsea's offer."
Portugal have also had to deal with the distraction of Cristiano Ronaldo's club situation.
The 23-year-old star is under contract at Manchester United but Real Madrid are hell-bent on bringing him to the Bernabeu for the forthcoming campaign.
Ronaldo admitted after Thursday's 3-2 defeat that he would be discussing his future with United in the coming days.
"I don't know what is going on in Ronaldo's mind and I don't think that contract problems would affect a player," said Madail.
"It's normal for players to have to deal with these issues. I don't think it interferes and I didn't see any problem with Ronaldo."
Leaving the competition at the quarter-final stage was a huge disappointment for Portugal, who had been one of the most exciting teams in the event.
They had shown a lot of flair but ultimately came unstuck against a determined Germany.
"I was very disappointed with the game yesterday," Madail said.
"Everyone saw Portugal is a strong squad.
"There is no way our elimination was fair but the result was fair on the night, Germany won 3-2 and we made mistakes and were made to pay.
"Good luck for Germany but especially the best of luck to Spain."
Now the Portuguese have the difficult task of finding a replacement for Scolari.
The Brazilian tactician led Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and a fourth-place finish in the World Cup in Germany two years ago.
Portugal will now turn their attentions to qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and will announce at the beginning of next month who will suceceed Scolari.
Madail added: "Whether some like it or not, he (Scolari) left a mark in Portuguese football.
"He is a spectacular coach who made a huge impact and that will remain in the history of Portugal. But life continues.
"(The new coach) will have to speak Portuguese but not necessarily be Portuguese.
"He has to have ambition and be a winner. He has to be someone who the players respect."
"It wasn't the best moment for us for Chelsea to announce Scolari's appointment," said Madail. "I know Scolari had nothing to do with it and I was surprised not by the appointment, because Scolari is a great coach, but at the timing chosen.
"I wish Chelsea would have consulted us before so that we could have chosen a better time."
Madail conceded that Scolari's departure was inevitable.
"I knew when we entered the tournament that Scolari would leave," he said.
"We respected his wishes. His cycle with Portugal had ended because he wanted a new experience with a club.
"There was nothing we could do. It was a financial issue and we couldn't match Chelsea's offer."
Portugal have also had to deal with the distraction of Cristiano Ronaldo's club situation.
The 23-year-old star is under contract at Manchester United but Real Madrid are hell-bent on bringing him to the Bernabeu for the forthcoming campaign.
Ronaldo admitted after Thursday's 3-2 defeat that he would be discussing his future with United in the coming days.
"I don't know what is going on in Ronaldo's mind and I don't think that contract problems would affect a player," said Madail.
"It's normal for players to have to deal with these issues. I don't think it interferes and I didn't see any problem with Ronaldo."
Leaving the competition at the quarter-final stage was a huge disappointment for Portugal, who had been one of the most exciting teams in the event.
They had shown a lot of flair but ultimately came unstuck against a determined Germany.
"I was very disappointed with the game yesterday," Madail said.
"Everyone saw Portugal is a strong squad.
"There is no way our elimination was fair but the result was fair on the night, Germany won 3-2 and we made mistakes and were made to pay.
"Good luck for Germany but especially the best of luck to Spain."
Now the Portuguese have the difficult task of finding a replacement for Scolari.
The Brazilian tactician led Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and a fourth-place finish in the World Cup in Germany two years ago.
Portugal will now turn their attentions to qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and will announce at the beginning of next month who will suceceed Scolari.
Madail added: "Whether some like it or not, he (Scolari) left a mark in Portuguese football.
"He is a spectacular coach who made a huge impact and that will remain in the history of Portugal. But life continues.
"(The new coach) will have to speak Portuguese but not necessarily be Portuguese.
"He has to have ambition and be a winner. He has to be someone who the players respect."
Strange they didn't say anything when the announcement was made. Seems they're looking for a scapegoat.
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