The Portuguese Football federation has reportedly offered the Manchester United number two a £1.4million deal to take over the post vacated by Scolari, who left for Chelsea at the end of Portugal's participation in Euro 2008.

And Oliveira, who was Portugal caretaker boss for a period in 2002, said: "He's the right man for that job."

He told Portuguese radio station Antena 1: "Our president (Gilberto Madail) should see that he, at this moment, is the right man for that job and should therefore do everything so that things will happen, and I hope they will happen."

Oliveira was part of Queiroz's backroom staff when he was coach of Portugal's Under-21 team between 1991 and 1993, and knows the former Real Madrid coach well.

While Queiroz is ideally placed to take over at Old Trafford when the time comes for Sir Alex Ferguson to retire, Oliveira believes the temptation of steering his country through the 2010 World Cup qualifiers will prove too great.

"I think it would be possible to get him," added Oliveira. "I know Carlos' personality and his way of dealing with situations around him.

"His desire to serve the national team and the country, and to carry out a rebuilding work, could persuade him to accept to take hold of the reins."