Ex-Greece coach handed Portugal job

Reporter

Sep 23, 2014 10:55 pm

The Portuguese Football Federation have announced former Greece manager Fernando Santos as their new head coach.

The 59-year-old has spent four years with the Pirate Ship (Greece's nickname, really), with the 2014 World Cup as his final assignment.

Having decided against renewing his contract with Greece ahead of the tournament, Santos then guided them to a place in the Round of 16 where they lost to Costa Rica on penalties, after which he left his post.

The former Benfica and Porto boss, who also had spells with Sporting Lisbon and Panathinaikos, succeeds Paulo Bento, who was relieved of his duties following Portugal's dire start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign when they lost to Albania.

Santos is expected to take of the Selecao's next friendly against France on Oct 11 before engaging Denmark in their next Euro 2016 qualifier on Oct 14.

Source: Reuters