The 55-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and is due to be presented to the media on Wednesday.

In succeeding Luiz Felipe Scolari, Queiroz returns to national service for the first time in 15 years after a spell as Under-20s coach early in his career.

Back then, Queiroz worked with Portugal's so-called "golden generation" - players including Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Vitor Baia - and led them to the World Youth Championships.

That generation of players never fulfilled their potential on the world stage however, as Portugal failed to win a major championship at senior level despite Scolari's strong record.

Now Queiroz takes charge of a second golden generation, led by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Quaresma and Nani, with the task of bringing home the silverware that has eluded Portugal for so long.

"I believe that we have the conditions in place to continue to project an excellent image of our country through the good performances of our national teams, particularly the senior team, whose first objective is qualification for the World Cup in South Africa," Queiroz said on Friday.

He already has the backing of the face of the current Portugal squad, Ronaldo, with whom he has spent the last four years at Manchester United.

"He is a perfect choice," Ronaldo told RTP.

"I have been working with him for some time and I just have to say that he is very good for this job."

In taking the Portugal job, Queiroz has perhaps given up the opportunity of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, but he insisted that he never hesitated in making his decision, and even revealed he had an agreement in place with United that he would be allowed to talk if Portugal called.

"I am very proud and honoured to be able to come back and serve my country," said Queiroz. "It is a very special challenge and a position that any professional would want.

"Since I received the first contact from Dr Gilbert Madail, I have been very receptive to this project."

He added: "I also want to thank Manchester United for our established agreement that I could return to Portugal if the opportunity materialised."

For Portugal, Queiroz appears an ideal replacement for Scolari, given his high profile and solid credentials in a career that has seen spells with United, Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon, as well as spells in international football with the United Arab Emirates and South Africa.

"Carlos Queiroz is unquestionably one of the top Portuguese coaches and was my first choice to be head coach," said FPF president Gilbert Madail.

"Although I have never worked with him because he was no longer with the national set-up when I arrived, I have followed his career with much interest and the experience he has gained in all the places he has worked will be important in helping us achieve the success we want."

No details of Queiroz's salary were released, but Madail revealed that the FPF had made a "great effort from a financial point of view" to bring Queiroz in.

"I also want to recognise the co-operation of Manchester United from the beginning of this process," Madail added.