Fernando Santos steps down as Portugal head coach

• Fernando Santos has stepped down as the head coach of the Portuguese national team after their World Cup exist. 
• Fernando Santos was in charge of Portugal for eight years. He led the team to win the Euro 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019. 

Fernando Santos has stepped down as the head coach of the Portuguese national team after their World Cup exit. 

Portugal suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat at the hands of Morocco, who progressed to the World Cup semi-finals.

Fernando Santos in charge of Portugal during a past match. Photo/ Sky Sports.

Sportsmail reported on Wednesday that the Portuguese Football Federation were planning to sack Fernando after the disappointing World Cup campaign. 

And it was confirmed on Thursday evening that Fernando Torres was no longer the head coach of the Portuguese national team. 

The FPF are now on the hunt for a new manager who could guide the nation to winning a major title. 

“It was an honour to have a coach and a person like Fernando Santos at the head of the national team. 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.” Part of the statement from the Portuguese Football Federation read. 

Fernando Santos was in charge of Portugal for eight years. He led the team to win the Euro 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019. 

Hopes were high that the 68-year-old could lead Portugal to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. However, things didn’t go as expected when Portugal met Morocco. 

Santos’ last games were dominated by his decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo. Santos dropped the former Manchester United man for the knockout clashes against Switzerland following his negative reaction after being substituted against South Korea. 

Portugal went ahead to win the match against Switzerland 6-1, with Goncalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement, scoring a hat trick. 

Fernando Santos was repeatedly asked questions about his bold decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo, and he insisted he had no regrets for doing so.

Fernando Santos talking to Cristiano Ronaldo before substituting him during a past match. Photo/ Goal.com.

Who Will Replace Fernando Santos? 

FPF are on the search for a new head coach for the Portuguese national team after parting ways with Fernando Santos. 

According to reports, Jose Mourinho is one of the early favourites to replace Fernando Santos. The 59-year-old was swamped by media asking about his future when he arrived in Faro with his Roma side. 

However, he refused to comment on the links to the vacant Portugal manager’s job. 

There are speculations that Jose Mourinho, who won the inaugural Europa Conference League trophy with AS Roma, could ‘job share’. That means he could retain his job as AS Roma’s boss and still coach the Portuguese national team during international matches. 

Paulo Fonseca, Jose Mourinho’s predecessor at As Roma, is one of the managers to replace Fernando Santos. Paulo is currently the head coach of Lille.