Queiroz in search of magic formula at Real

Carlos Queiroz describes soccer as "an art, a mixture of rigour, imagination and creativity", and the new Real Madrid coach will need to exhibit all these skills to succeed in the most demanding job in club football.

As his predecessor Vicente del Bosque found out to his cost, it is almost impossible to meet Real's insatiable desire for success.

Seven trophies in three and a half years, including two European Cups and two league titles, were not enough to earn the amiable 52-year-old a new contract at the club he has devoted his life to.

Real's justification for his unceremonious dismissal a day after leading them to their 29th league title was that he was becoming stale and was unfamiliar with the latest coaching developments.

There may be some truth in Real's arguments and Queiroz is certainly a more appealing front man for a club intent on cementing their position of supremacy in the global football market.

Media-friendly, smooth talking and cosmopolitan, the former Manchester United assistant is from the same mould as Real's sporting director, the debonair Jorge Valdano.

But the task of moulding the individual pieces of Real's expensively assembled squad into an even more effective team is a huge one.

One of his first challenges will be fitting David Beckham into his over-stocked midfield when the England skipper's natural slot on the right flank is occupied by Queiroz's former protege Luis Figo.

"They are two great players," Queiroz said on Wednesday. "And as I understand it the best football is always played by the best players."

"The only time I can't see them playing together is when one of them is injured and as the season develops we will have to see which one moves."

One solution would be to move Figo to the left, the position he played when Queiroz coached the Portuguese youth side and Sporting Lisbon.

The Portuguese international frequently switches wings for Real and is undoubtedly more versatile than Beckham.

Such a decision would give Zinedine Zidane the run of the central midfield, leaving him free to play just behind strikers Raul and Ronaldo.

The problem is that the side would be left with just one ball-winning midfielder, French international Claude Makelele, who would be stretched to the limit against sides willing to attack Real.

Unless Roberto Carlos curtails his natural instinct to charge forward on the left, Real's defence of Michel Salgado, Ivan Helguera and Fernando Hierro's replacement, the young Francisco Pavon, would be more exposed than ever.

Apart from Queiroz's problems in trying to bring some balance to the team, he must also decide what to do with the other midfielders on Real's books.

Talented Spanish international Guti has already put in a transfer request and England's Steve McManaman, Brazilian Flavio Conceicao and Argentine duo Santiago Solari and Esteban Cambiasso will also have to think seriously about their futures.

Queiroz is an ideas man who certainly impressed Alex Ferguson with his work at United.

He has promised more emphasis on physical preparation of players and tactical planning, rather than the individual improvisation favoured by Del Bosque.

But here too he may find himself with problems as he runs the risk of stifling the sparkling individual talent at his disposal.

What is clear, though, is that Queiroz is not short of ambition or self-confidence, two of the characteristics most valued at his new club.

"My motto is not to make promises, but to deliver the goods," he said.

"Part of the thrill for working for this club is that it is never satisfied with success - that is why it is the best in the world."