Fernando Santos will no longer continue as coach of the Portugal team after being eliminated in the quarterfinals in Qatar 2022 and highly criticized for the decision to seat Cristiano Ronaldo during the match against Morocco, in which they lost 1-0.
Santos, who had a contract until 2022, thus dismissed from office after eight years, more than any other coach.
The Portuguese coach defended his decision to seat Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s top scorer, in the match against Morocco from Qatar 2022.
“I don’t regret it, the team did very well in the match with Switzerland. Cristiano is a great player and he came in when we understood that it was necessary in the game. I don’t regret that”, the coach of the Portuguese side said at a press conference.
Santos leaves after 8 years in the position of coach, being the most successful coach of the Portugal team after having won the Eurocup 2014 against France and the UEFA Nations League in 2022.
In total, Santos is the Portugal coach with the longest time in the position (8 years), with more games (2014) and more victories ().
“The FPF thanks Fernando Santos and his technical team for the services provided over eight odd years and believes that this gratitude is also done on behalf of the Portuguese”, assures the organization, which will now begin the process to choose the next coach.
The Portuguese coach did not have much success in the World Cups. In Brazil 2014 he was in the group stage with the worst participation of Portugal in this tournament. In Russia 2019 they were eliminated in the round of 16 against Uruguay with two goals from Edinson Cavani. And now they fell short in the quarterfinals against Morocco and their top star, who came on as a substitute in the second half.
The Portuguese Football Federation announced that the new coach will be announced in a few weeks . The Portuguese José Mourinho is among the main candidates to take command of the team on the way to what will be the Euro Cup in Germany 2022 .
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