Cristiano Ronaldo Fernando Santos Switzerland Portugal Doha Santos Morocco Football Cristiano Ronaldo Fernando Santos Switzerland Portugal Doha Santos Morocco

Portugal coach does not regret leaving Ronaldo out v Morocco

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DOHA : Portugal manager Fernando Santos said that he would not change his decision of leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench even after his team was knocked-out from the World Cup due to a 1-0 defeat against Morocco in their quarter-final clash on Saturday.Portugal’s all-time leading goal scorer with 118 goals in 195 appearances, Ronaldo was benched for Tuesday’s 6-1 win over Switzerland in the last 16 where the 21-year-old Ramos scored three in only his fourth appearance.Ronaldo stormed off the pitch after the final whistle crying effusively while being comforted by his team mates."I do not regret (leaving Ronaldo on the bench)," coach Santos told a news conference on Saturday."It wouldn't change anything, in terms of the team I can't be thinking with my heart."I used the team that played really well against Switzerland and there was no reason to change it (against Morocco)."The strategic decision that I had to make was one of the hardest, but I can't think with my heart, I have to think with my head. "It's not that Ronaldo is no longer a great player, that has nothing to do with it."Morocco’s Atlas Lions extended their dream run and roared into the history books by becoming the first-ever African and Arab country to reach the final four of the tournament thanks to a Youssef En-Nesyri goal in the first-half.Santos refused to comment on whether he will resign and said that he will talk to the Portuguese FA president over the next week about his future.He said his team had difficulties finding spaces between the disciplined Moroccan defensive lines, and he praised their opponents for their effort, saying it was "completely their merit.""Sometimes in football what you need is a little bit of luck," Santos said."We showed

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LLISBON: Fernando Santos has left his job as Portugal coach after his team lost to Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said on Thursday (Dec 15).    The Portuguese suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by Morocco in Qatar on Saturday, after Santos started with the country's all-time record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo on the substitutes' bench.   "After one of the best participations ever by the national team in the final stages of the World Cup...FPF and Fernando Santos understand this is the right moment to start a new cycle," the FPF said in a statement.   Santos, who has been widely criticised for his tactics, became Portugal coach in 2014 and led the country in 109 matches. They won the European Championship in 2016 and UEFA's inaugural Nations League in 2018-19.   "In addition to the titles won, Fernando Santos became the coach with the most games and most victories," FPF said. "It was an honour to have a coach and a person like Fernando Santos as the head of the national team."   FPF said its board would now start the process of selecting a new manager.
LISBON: Portugal coach Fernando Santos has quit, the Portuguese soccer federation announced Thursday, after eight years in the job and five days after Portugal’s exit from the World Cup in the quarterfinals. The 68-year-old Santos reached an amicable agreement with the federation to leave two years before his contract ends, a statement said. The federation named no replacement for Santos and said they were starting their search.
Santos and the FPF agreed "to end the journey of great success that began in September 2014".
Portugal manager Fernando Santos said that he would not change his decision of leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench even after his team was knocked-out from the World Cup due to a 1-0 defeat against Morocco in their quarter-final clash on Saturday.

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