The Portuguese federation (FPF) announced yesterday that Fernando Santos had been fired as coach after the team's 2022 World Cup quarterfinal loss to Morocco.
At 68, Santos managed Portugal to their first-ever senior international success—a victory against France in the Euro 2016 championship—after taking over as manager in 2014. Under the leadership of the former Greece national team manager, the Seleccao has won their second UEFA Nations League title.
He had great expectations for his tenure in Qatar, but his team's startling 1-0 loss against Morocco put an end to them. He was still hired by his contract's terms through the 2024 World Cup.
The Portuguese Football Federation and Fernando Santos "decided to stop the incredibly successful voyage that began in September 2014," the FPF said in a statement.
“After one of the best participations ever by the National Team in the final stages of the World Cup, in Qatar, FPF and Fernando Santos understand that this is the right time to start a new cycle.
“The FPF Board will now begin choosing the next national coach.
Santos’ controversial decision to bench star player Cristiano Ronaldo for the team’s round of 16 matches against Switzerland sparked additional debate.
Goncalo Ramos, who came on as a substitute for Ronaldo after the latter showed irritation at being taken out of the game against South Korea, scored a hat trick to prove Santos right.
Against Morocco, Santos again started Ronaldo on the bench before inserting him early in the second half. Portugal then unexpectedly lost. After the fact, Santos felt he had made the right choice.
“I don’t think so; no regrets,” Santos replied. “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 he has no regrets.
“If we take two persons that were the most upset, it is Cristiano Ronaldo and me. Of course, we are upset, but that is part of the job of the coach and the player.”
“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,” Santos said, referring to his future.