LISBON (Reuters) – Diego Maradona is among a trio of Latin American coaches keen to replace sacked coach Carlos Queiroz and revive Portugal's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) axed Queiroz last week in the wake of his six-month ban for insulting anti-doping agents and are expected name his successor in the next few days.

Maradona, out of work since leaving his position as Argentina coach after the World Cup, fellow Argentine Jose Pekerman and former Mexico coach Jose Aguirre have been linked with the position.

Former Sporting coach Paulo Bento is seen by the local media as the strongest candidate but according to other reports, some FPF directors believe Portugal need an overseas coach with an international pedigree who is used to dealing with global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to shine under Queiroz.

Portugal's Euro 2012 qualifying hopes have been hit by a dismal start. A 4-4 draw at home to Cyprus was followed by a 1-0 defeat in Norway.

"It's true (Maradona is interested). Diego and I talked about it and it is a project that attracts us.

"He is willing and has availability, but has not been contacted yet," Alejandro Mancuso, one of Maradona's assistants during his spell as Argentina coach, said.

Pekerman, another former Argentina coach, is also interested in the Portugal job, according to his agent.

"Many national sides wanted to hire him, but he was not interested. The Portuguese team, yes, that interests him," agent Jose Sanchez Parra told Portuguese radio Renascenca.

He added that Aguirre, who resigned as Mexico coach in June, has also shown an interest in the position.

Prior to Queiroz, Portugal also had a coach from Latin America. Brazil's Luiz Felipe Scolari took the team to the final of Euro 2004 and the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

n Benfica's board of directors have urged their supporters not to attend away matches as a protest against several refereeing errors in Friday's 2-1 defeat at Vitoria Guimaraes.

"We want to ask the fans to continue supporting Benfica ... in the games at the Luz Stadium but to abstain from travelling to away games," the board said in a statement ahead of yesterday's Champions League Group B opener at home to Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Coach Jorge Jesus and football director Rui Costa criticised referee Olegario Benquerenca's decisions after Friday's match, including two Benfica penalty claims that were turned down.

After winning their first championship in five years last season Benfica have made a woeful start to their title defence, losing three of their first four games.

They are down in 13th place, nine points behind leaders Porto.

The board also said the refereeing errors may persuade them to pull out of the League Cup this season.

No one at the Portuguese league's refereering commission was available for immediate comment.