Former Portugal boss Santos named as Poland coach. On Tuesday, Fernando Santos, who led the Portuguese national team until a month ago, was chosen the next manager of Poland.
“I am Polish as of right now. At the formal event in Warsaw, Santos said, “I am one of you.
It’s a privilege to carry on working as a trainer here, he said.
“I have no doubt that we will work arduously to bring the Poles great delight. At the news conference arranged to announce the nomination, Santos assured the media, “I am certain that we will succeed.
Santos, 68, replaces Czeslaw Michniewicz, who was fired last month after Qatar’s World Cup team was eliminated in the round of 16.
With victories over Saudi Arabia, draws with Mexico, and losses to eventual group winners Argentina, Poland came in second.
For the first time in 36 years, they were eliminated after a routine 3-1 loss against eventual runners-up France.
Lisbon-born Following Portugal’s shocking World Cup quarterfinal loss to Morocco in December, Santos resigned as coach of the squad.
Santos, who took over as Portugal’s head coach in September 2014, led his team to its first major victory at Euro 2016 and then the 2019 Nations League.
However, the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 Euro both ended in last-sixteen exits during his tenure as manager.
From 2010 until 2014, Santos served as the national team coach for Greece.
The chairman of the Polish football organization, Cezary Kulesza, stated, “The choice was tough, but we have selected the best.
The European Championship, which will be held in Germany in 2024, is “our primary target,” he continued.
Kulesza made a mistake when he originally announced the name of the new coach, referring to him as “Felipe” rather than Fernando, which caused the local media to mock him.
Santos stated that winning was his main priority in one of his first talks with Polish media for the Interia news website.
“Neither a picture nor Chopin’s music are football. It is considerably easier to win if you score and don’t let up any goals. That’s it.
Santos declared that he intended to settle in Warsaw and get to know the group.
I don’t want to be the kind of man you only see at games and on special occasions, he declared.
“I want to meet the Polish football community and I want them to meet me.”
