Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he is in no rush to appoint a replacement for assistant manager Carlos Queiroz.
Queiroz left Old Trafford to take the job of coaching his native Portugal on Friday, and although the new season is just five weeks away, Ferguson said he would give plenty of thought to choosing a successor.
“You take your time with these things,” said the United boss.
“I knew when Portugal came for him that it would be very difficult for us. But we’ve good staff and we’ll carry on.”
Current United coaches Mike Phelan, Brian McClair and Rene Meulensteen are among the names said to be in the frame for the post, along with the likes of former defender Laurent Blanc.
“It’s always disappointing to lose good men and Carlos was a good man,” added Ferguson.
“He was honest, very loyal to me and a good coach, who brought a lot of initiatives that we now carry on.
“He has taken a challenge on that people do, if they have that patriotic passion and the nationalist fervour to go and manage their country. He’s got that.”