Fans are still licking the wounds of Portugal’s dramatic elimination at the World Cup. Morocco was too strong in the quarterfinals, so one of the title favourites had to go home. The position of national coach Fernando Santos is under pressure, while prominent people are already philosophising about his successor.
One of those prominent people is Maniche. The Portuguese, 52-time international, knows who he prefers to see as a replacement for Santos. Jose Mourinho. “That would be a perfectly logical choice,” he told Rádio Renascença. “It makes sense because of all he’s already won and conquered.”
“He’s been at the best clubs in the world,” said Maniche. “Only a prize with the national team is still missing from his honours list. He has won titles at all those top clubs. But he still misses a trophy with the national team. Mourinho is an experienced coach who is well prepared for all difficulties. Also because he knows our football, but certainly also because he knows football abroad through and through.”
Maniche himself won the Champions League with FC Porto under Mourinho and therefore knows exactly how The Special One works. “He is very intelligent and knows exactly how to deal with young people. I think I would collect all that knowledge and skill and appoint him as national coach. I respect the work of Fernando Santos, but respect doesn’t mean you have to cling to the past endlessly,” Maniche added.
Incidentally, Maniche also stood up for Cristiano Ronaldo. The star had a disappointing tournament and lost his starting place. As a result, his departure from the global stage was painful. According to his former teammate, however, the blame mainly lay with his national coach. “There must be a conversation between Ronaldo and Santos immediately. He is the best player of all time. There is friction between the two, but this must not happen again. Santos still has an ongoing contract and if he wants to continue, he has to apologise,” he concluded.
