Portugal: Fernando Santos quit as the team’s head coach after Portugal’s World Cup elimination. It comes after Portugal’s shocking 1-0 loss to Morocco in the Qatar Cup quarterfinal.

Santos has led Portugal to victory at Euro 2016 and the first Nations League in 2018–19. It paid off in the round of 16, as Goncalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement, scored Hat-trick in a 6-1 victory over Switzerland.

Ronaldo came on as a substitute in the quarter-final match against Morocco but could not prevent their win. Santos was constantly criticised for benching him. Ronaldo, a former Manchester United forward, denied a report that claimed he threatened to quit Qatar in a conversation with his head coach.

Cristiano Ronaldo looking at Fernando Santos ? pic.twitter.com/ernraf5cgP

— GOAL (@goal) December 6, 2022

Santos stated that he had no regrets about the choices he made regarding Ronaldo, who broke down in tears at the end of Morocco’s victory. Santos is under contract until after Euro 2024, but the Portuguese Football Federation told it was the “right moment to start a new cycle.”

Portugal will now begin the process of appointing a new head coach, with Roma boss Jose Mourinho one of the early favourites for the post, as per the report.

“It was an honour to have a coach and a person like Fernando Santos at the head of the national team,” the Portuguese Football Federation cited in a statement.

“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,” the Federation further added.

SPORTS: Cristiano Ronaldo leaves in tears as his 18 years world Cup career ends