Fernando Santos, Portugal’s manager, has resigned after the country’s defeat in the World Cup.
Santos led Portugal to Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League titles. Still, they fell to Morocco in the quarter-finals following a challenging group stage that saw Cristiano Ronaldo benched for the knockout rounds.
The Santos era has ended, with the Portuguese FA (FPF) confirming his resignation.
“The Portuguese Football Federation and Santos decided to call an end to the incredibly successful voyage that started in September 2014,” according to a statement.
“After one of the finest participation ever by the National Team in the final stages of the World Championship in Qatar, FPF and Fernando Santos feel that now is the appropriate time to start a new cycle.
“With Santos at the helm of the National Team, our country won two international championships for the first time: the outstanding Euro 2016 in France and the League of Nations in 2019.
“In addition to the championships, Fernando Santos became the coach with the most games and wins.
“It was an honour to have a coach and a guy like Fernando Santos leading the National Team.
“The FPF appreciates Santos and his technical team for the services offered over eight unique years and feels that this gratitude is also expressed on behalf of the Portuguese people.
“The FPF Board of Directors will now begin the process of selecting the new national coach.”
