Fernando Santos steps down as Portugal head coach after World Cup exit | Football News

Fernando Santos has left his position as head coach of Portugal following their World Cup exit.

It follows Portugal’s shock 1-0 defeat to Morocco within the quarter-finals in Qatar.

Santos, who led Portugal to victory at Euro 2016 as nicely as the inaugural Nations League in 2018-19, took the daring resolution to drop Cristiano Ronaldo following the group stage.

It paid off within the final 16, as Ronaldo’s alternative Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Switzerland.

Ronaldo got here on as a substitute within the quarter-final match in opposition to Morocco however couldn’t forestall them going out.

Santos repeatedly confronted questions over dropping Ronaldo, with the previous Manchester United ahead denying a report which claimed he had threatened to go away Qatar in an alternate along with his head coach.

Santos insisted he had no regrets concerning the selections over Ronaldo, who was left in tears on the ultimate whistle of the Morocco defeat.

The Portuguese Football Federation mentioned it was the “right moment to start a new cycle” regardless of Santos being below contract till after Euro 2024.

Portugal will now start the method of appointing a brand new head coach, with Roma boss Jose Mourinho one of many early favourites for the submit.

An announcement from the Portuguese Football Federation learn: “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 crew for the companies supplied over eight distinctive years and believes that this thanks can also be made on behalf of the Portuguese individuals.

“The FPF board will now begin the process of choosing the next national coach.”