Fernando Santos sacked by Portugal after World Cup exit and controversial Cristiano Ronaldo axe - Eurosport COM

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Portugal have sacked manager Fernando Santos after they failed to progress beyond the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.

Santos made headlines after dropping superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for the last 16 match with Switzerland, but his decision proved inspired as replacement Goncalo Ramos bagged a hat-trick in the 6-1 win.

But Portugal were undone in the last eight by stubborn Morocco, who defended valiantly for a 1-0 win to become the first African side in history to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

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Santos guided Portugal to the Euro 2016 title in France, his nation's only major international trophy, and the inaugural UEFA Nations League title in 2019.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Portuguese Football Federation said it was the “right moment” to start a new cycle.

“The FPF thanks Fernando Santos and his technical team for the services provided over eight unique years and believes that this thanks is also made on behalf of the Portuguese people.

“The FPF Board will now begin the process of choosing the next national coach."

As Portugal looked to go one better than their best-ever finish at the World Cup in 1966 when they finished third, they were beaten by a tricky and resilient Morocco side fuelled with optimism at the quarter-final stage.

Striker Youssef En-Nesyri capitalised on a Diogo Costa error to put the Atlas Lions in front minutes before the break.

Despite efforts to salvage an equaliser to keep Portugal’s last four hopes alive, including bringing Ronaldo off the bench after much controversy, Santos’ side were unable to find a way back into the game, which inevitably ended his Portugal career.

Frontrunners for the vacancy include former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, now at Roma, and Lille boss Paulo Fonseca.

Fonseca is currently the favourite to take over from Santos ahead of Euro 2024 in two years’ time, after snubbing the Wolverhampton Wanderers job in October.

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