Portugal have confirmed Paulo Bento as their new coach of the national side following the dismissal of Carlos Queiroz.
The former Sporting Lisbon manager has agreed a two-year deal that will see him take charge until the completion of the European Championship in 2012.
Bento was capped 35 times by Portugal during his playing days as a defensive midfielder and has had two spells in charge of Sporting as well as a period in charge at Benfica.
Former boss Queiroz was dismissed earlier in the month after leading his side to a poor start to the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Portugal have only managed one point from two games in Group H and are already five points behind leaders Denmark.
Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madail made an attempt to hire Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho on a temporary basis, but his effort was rejected by Los Merengues president Florentino Perez.
“I’m sad not to be able to take charge of my national team but I don’t have the right to make demands from Real Madrid. It’s a difficult situation,” said Mourinho following Real’s 2-1 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday evening.
Bento’s first game in charge will be a clash against Denmark on Friday 8th October.