It was on the seventh of September 2014 that Portugal misplaced, at house, with 0-1 towards Albania, in the first match of the qualifying part of Euro 2016. As a end result, the coach of the nation Paulo Bento was dismissed and on the twenty third of the identical month, Fernando Santos was introduced as a alternative ‘as an alternative.
After main Portugal in 109 matches and profitable the solely titles in the historical past of the choice (Euro 2016 and League of Nations in 2019), Fernando Santos will be thought-about one of the most well-known coaches of the nationwide crew.
However, he’s additionally one of the most controversial, which doesn’t appear to trouble him: “I’ve a contract till 2024. I can’t be direct”. This is how he reacted to Portugal’s exclusion from the League of Nations this 12 months, after defeat by Spain, in September, at a press convention. And this Saturday he didn’t give the significance of the matter, saying solely that he’ll discuss to Fernando Gomes quickly.
In addition, the cash that might be made in the “reign” of Fernando Santos will nonetheless keep in mind the disappointment of two consecutive World Cups. However, the titles received usually are not what Fernando Santos gave to the nationwide crew.
Best profession level common
After coaching in eight golf equipment and one other nationwide crew (Greece), it’s in Portugal that Fernando Santos was very joyful along with his outcomes, with a median of 2.07 factors per sport (the highest worth in his profession). This is the end result of 68 wins, 21 attracts and 20 defeats. This is greater than that of all the coaches who have led Portugal on this century, whereas everyone seems to be in the nationwide crew.
Another side of the coach was the quantity of gamers who began the nation – a complete of 59. Important names at Euro 2016 corresponding to Raphael Guerreiro, José Fonte, João Mário and Renato Sanches solely made the nationwide crew because of Fernando Santos. , who later knew combine them right into a profitable European Championship crew.
Then there are a number of athletes who had been referred to as for the first time, nonetheless younger, and who immediately are essential and, specifically, starters in Portugal, corresponding to Bernardo Silva, João Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes, Danilo, João Félix or Diogo Jota. Both began for the nationwide crew between the ages of 19 and 23.
There had been seven gamers underneath the age of 20 that Fernando Santos began in the nationwide crew, most not too long ago António Silva.
Cristiano Ronaldo additionally had nice success in Portugal when he was coached by Fernando Santos. Before reaching the nationwide crew, the participant scored 50 objectives in 114 video games. After the engineer arrived, he scored 68 objectives in 82 video games.
Great historical past in competitions
When it involves the most vital video games – the ones in main competitions (European and World Cups), Portugal’s current report is just not superb, contemplating the plain expertise of its gamers.
After profitable Euro 2016, Portugal was eradicated from the subsequent European competitors (2020) and from the 2018 World Cup in the spherical of 16, and in each phases they didn’t win their group. The 2022 World Cup was the first main match wherein Fernando Santos, with Portugal, received a couple of in his time, however he additionally completed quick, falling quick of expectations.
Text edited by Jorge Miguel Matias
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