Santos hands Poland job based on Portugal success

2023-01-25 11:04

Santos hands Poland job based on Portugal success

Poland's appointment of Fernando Santos as their new coach is based on his experience managing the national team and his successful record, Polish Football Federation president Cezari Kulesa said on Tuesday .


Santos led Portugal to success at Euro 2016 and the 2018-19 Nations League with Cristiano Ronaldo as captain, and Culesa shared a photo of himself with the 68 -year-old on Twitter on Monday. posed for a photo, unofficially announcing his news.

" We want a coach who already has experience leading the national team so he doesn't have to learn on the job, " Kulesa told a news conference.

" But above all, we want a successful coach. Such a coach was appointed today. "

Santos is the second Polish coach with international experience this century, after Leo Benhakel, who managed the team from 2006-2009 .

Santos spent four years in Greece before becoming Portugal head coach in 2014 . At club level, he has managed teams such as Porto, AEK Athens , Panathinaikos, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica.

Santos hands Poland job based on Portugal success

Not renewing contract with former coach

The Polish FA has decided not to renew the contract of former coach Czeslaw Mičnievic , who led the team to its first World Cup knockout stage appearance in Qatar in 2022 after 36 years.

He was criticized by his home country for being a defensive lineup in the opening draw against Mexico.

Santos' place in Portugal was terminated in December following the country's World Cup quarter-final exit. The Polish FA said his contract with Poland covers two qualification cycles - Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.