[ad_1]
DOHA: Fernando Santos turned the most recent sufferer of failing to dwell as much as World Cup expectations after he was sacked as Portugal coach on Thursday.
Though the 68-year-old had been below contract till after the 2024 European Championships, the Portuguese Soccer Federation stated in a press release saying his departure that it was the “proper second to start out a brand new cycle.”
Portugal misplaced 1-0 within the World Cup quarterfinals in opposition to Morocco, however Santos has beforehand led Portugal to success within the 2016 European Championships and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
“It was an honor to have a coach and an individual like Fernando Santos on the head of the nationwide workforce. The FPF thanks Fernando Santos and his technical workforce for the providers supplied over eight distinctive years and believes that this thanks can be made on behalf of the Portuguese folks,” reads the communique.
The veteran coach was given a troublesome job in Qatar, with rumors about Cristiano Ronaldo’s future dominating early press conferences on the match.
He then took the courageous step of dropping 37-year-old Ronaldo after some poor shows within the group stage and an offended gesture after he was substituted within the remaining Group H match, which Portugal – who had been already assured of development – misplaced 2-1 to South Korea.
Ronaldo was on the bench for the 6-1 win over a virus-affected Switzerland within the last-16 and got here on as a late substitute. He additionally performed the final half-hour of the quarterfinal defeat, failing to make an influence and strolling down the tunnel in tears on the remaining whistle.
Santos stated after that match that he had “no regrets” about his resolution.
Jose Mourinho is the early favourite to be named as Santos’ alternative.
[ad_2]
Source link
