The future of Portuguese national coach Fernando Santos is uncertain. José Mourinho has already been named as successor, even before it is clear whether the 68-year-old Santos will continue with the Portuguese national team.
According to A Bola, everything indicates that Portugal will be looking for a new national coach after the elimination in the quarterfinals of the World Cup against Morocco. The generally well-informed sports newspaper expects that the outcome of the impending conversation with federation president Fernando Gomes is that Santos will not serve out his contract as national coach until 2024.
According to Italian media, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has even thrown a line at Mourinho. The AS Roma trainer was also put forward as the ideal successor to Santos by former international Maniche, who works under The Special One at FC Porto. Mourinho would like to take up the challenge, but wants to combine it with his work at Roma.
It is unclear how the Portuguese federation feels about such a dual role. Mourinho is certainly not the only name circulating in the media in Portugal. Former international Rui Jorge also seems to have good credentials, because as national coach of Young Portugal he already knows many of the current internationals. Luis Castro (Botafogo) and Abel Ferreira (Palmeiras) are also mentioned.
Santos was asked about his future after the defeat against Morocco and then said that he will not leave himself. In his own country, the national coach received quite a bit of criticism. For putting Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench in the duels with Switzerland and Morocco. The 37-year-old all-time top scorer would like to continue as an international, Correio da Manhã reports.
In the aftermath of Portugal’s World Cup elimination, Santos was asked about his future as national coach. “Do I have to submit my resignation? That is not something I consider. I’ve been Portugal’s national coach from 2014. And have always had positive interactions with the association over that time,” replied Santos.
“This isn’t the time to discuss my future plans. We’ll travel back to Lisbon tomorrow and then decide what’s best for Portugal and this team,” he concluded.
