Fernando Santos has been sacked as Portugal boss after his side crashed out of the World Cup at the hands of Morocco in Saturday’s quarter-final.
Santos, who was appointed to the role in 2014, led the nation to their first ever major international successes, winning the European Championship in 2016 and the inaugural Nations League three years later. He also secured the most victories by a coach in charge of Portugal.
The veteran boss had a contract through to the summer of 2024 – the conclusion of that year’s Euros – after renewing his deal two years ago but will not stay on in the post following the last-eight exit in Qatar. Portugal's official Twitter account posted a lengthy video thanking Santos for his service.
“It was an honour to have a coach and a person like Fernando Santos at the head of the National Team,” a statement from the Portuguese FA reads.
“The FPF thanks Fernando Santos and his technical team for the services provided over eight unique years and believes that this thanks is also made on behalf of the Portuguese people. The FPF Board will now begin the process of choosing the next national coach.”
Santos had a reported falling out with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo after his decision to surprisingly drop him for the last-16 clash against Switzerland. That move was justified as Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos netted a sensational hat-trick in his side's 6-1 demolition of the Swiss.
This led to claims that Ronaldo threatened to storm out of the nation’s World Cup training camp, which were criticised by the superstar, who alleged that “external forces” were trying to “break” the nation’s attempts of winning their first-ever World Cup.
Santos has enjoyed a remarkable managerial career which has spanned 34 years and is notable for the fact that he has coached each of Portugal’s ‘Big Three’ clubs – Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon. He also had multiple roles in Greek football, including leading their national side between 2010 and 2014.
Have Your Say! Should Portugal have kept Ronaldo in their starting line-up for the knockout stages ? Tell us what you think here.
It will be his eight-year stint in charge of Portugal which will prove to be his lasting legacy, having guided them to Euros glory in his first major tournament in 2016. The team memorably won the final 1-0 in Paris having lost star Ronaldo to injury during the first half.
Santos had an impressive 61.5 per cent win rate in charge of Portugal with 67 victories from 109 matches at the helm. However, the nation suffered underwhelming last-16 exits at the 2018 World Cup and last year's Euros, losing to Uruguay and Belgium respectively.
He led his nation once more in this winter's World Cup in Qatar, topping their group after wins over Ghana and Uruguay, before impressively dismantling Switzerland in the last 16 with a Ronaldo-less attack. However, they were edged out by Morocco’s resilience in the quarter-final.
