Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed his assistant Carlos Queiroz to remain at the club for a long time to come.

Both men were side by side on the touchline as United overcame Chelsea in the Champions League final, their second trophy of the season after successfully defending their Premier League title.

Queiroz is known to have interested the Portugusese football authorities who could offer him the job of national coach if Luis Felipe Scolari stands down after Euro 2008. Club side Benfica are also rumoured to be thinking about approaching the United coach.

But Ferguson, who says Queiroz has been instrumental in his sides success this season, thinks his assistant will stay put. He said:

I feel he is at his club here. What happens after I go is not my domain. But there is no doubt I think Carlos will be here for a long time. As long as me anyway.

There has been a lot of talk about him recently and I am sure the Portugal job would be a big attraction for him. But I’m sure he’ll stay.