Portugal coach Fernando Santos quits after FIFA World Cup 2022 exit in quarterfinals

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal coach Fernando Santos has quit, Portuguese soccer federation anunced Thursday, after eight years in job and five days after Portugal’s exit from World Cup in quarterfinals.

68-year-old Santos reached an amicable agreement with federation to leave two years before his contract ends, a statement said.

federation named replacement for Santos and said it was starting its search.

Santos led Portugal to 2016 European Championship title — country’s first international trophy — and inaugural UEFA Nations League title in 2019.

Portugal left Qatar after a 1-0 loss to Morocco in World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.

Portuguese squ h an enviable depth of talent and won its opening two games in group st. In round of 16, it me a splash by thrashing Switzerland 6-1.

But Portugal’s early departure from Qatar was widely regarded as an underachievement.

Whoever takes over faces tricky question of how to man Cristia Ronaldo’s future role in team.

37-year-old star, who has me five appearances at World Cups over 16 years and is Portugal’s record scorer and greatest-ever player, was dropped from starting lineup for Switzerland game when a new generation of Portuguese players emphatically me ir mark.

Against Morocco, he again started on bench.

Those tactical options caused friction between Santos and his star player, who left field in tears after Morocco defeat.

In a later Instagram post, Ronaldo said his dream of winning World Cup h “ended,” but he didn’t say he would retire from international duty.

Portugal’s qualifying campaign for Euro 2024, at least, appears straightforward. In Group J its opponents are Bosnia, Iceland, Slovakia, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg.

Portugal's next international games are in March.

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