Portugese boss Antonio Oliveira has been ordered to resign following his country’s poor World Cup showing.

The instructions were given in a fax sent to him by the Portugese Football Association. Association President Gilberto Madail said that he had asked Oliveira for a ‘friendly annulment’ of his contract that still had two years remaining.

“The soccer federation found that the conditions do not exist for him to remain in his job” said Madail.

Madail added that Oliveira had not yet responded to the fax.

Portugal endured a chaotic World Cup. They were beaten 3-2 by the United States in their opening game, recovered to beat Poland 4-0, but then slumped to a 1-0 defeat against South Korea and were eliminated from the tournament.

Oliveira’s dismissal comes after Joao Pinto was suspended from club and international football for allegedly punching the referee in the match againstSouth Korea.

Portugal are now searching for a new manager to prepare a team for the Euro 2004 tournament, in which they will be the host nation.

Meanwhile, another World Cup coach has received better news. Costa Rica’s Alexander Guimaraes has been offered a further four years in charge of the national side.