Mueez Ajao
– Portugal have parted ways with coach Fernando Santos following the team’s 2022 World Cup quarterfinal exit to Morocco, the Portuguese federation announced Thursday.
Official statement confirms Fernando Santos has parted ways with Portugal and heโs no longer the national team head coach. ๐จ๐ต๐น #Portugal pic.twitter.com/QNdDTBSgmV
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 15, 2022
– Santos, 68, took charge in 2014 and guided Portugal to their first-ever senior international title when beating France in the final of Euro 2016. The former Greece national team boss also led the Seleccao to the 2019 UEFA Nations League title.
– However, his tenure ended in disappointment in Qatar with a surprise 1-0 loss to Morocco.
Also Read: Portugal boss Santos has no regrets over dropping Ronaldo
Um ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ผ histรณrico. ๐๐ Obrigado por tudo, Mister. ๐ต๐น #VesteABandeira
A historical ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฐ๐. ๐๐ Thank you for everything, Coach. ๐ต๐น #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/7emUN6LbZB
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) December 15, 2022
– There was controversy, too, as Santos decided to drop star man Cristiano Ronaldo for the team’s round of 16 game against Switzerland.
– Santos’ decision, which came following Ronaldo showing visible frustration at being substituted in the previous game against South Korea, was vindicated when replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat trick in a 6-1 win.
– Santos again started with Ronaldo on the bench against Morocco before bringing him on early in the second half as Portugal unexpectedly crashed out. Afterward Santos insisted he had no regrets about his decision.
– “I don’t think so, no regrets,” Santos said. “I think this was a team which played very well against Switzerland. Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, he came in when we thought it was necessary, so no regrets.
– “If we take two persons that were the most upset it is Cristiano Ronaldo and myself. Of course we are upset, but that is part of the job of the coach and the player.”
– Speaking about his own future at the time, Santos said: “I reiterate what I said before the competition, I have a discussion with the president and when we go back to Portugal we will deal with the issue of my contract.”
