Poland have shown Fernando Santos the exit door following the nation’s terrible Euro 2024 qualifications campaign.
The Polish Football Federation took to their social media page on Wednesday, 13th of September, to announce the departure of the former Portugal national team manager after just eight months with the country currently battling for the Euro 2024 qualification.
Poland suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Albania on Sunday, 10th of September to leave them fourth in the Group E of the 2024 Euro qualification campaign.
Santos earned extensive complaints in Poland for his plays and lack of appearances at home matches
The Polish Football Association appreciated Santos for his influence, while the manager said he had been thankful for the chance given to him.
Following the sacking of Santos, the country’s Football Federation said in a statement; “The Polish Football Federation announces that Fernando Santos is no longer national coach as of September 13”.
Santos vacated his role as the head of his native Portugal after 10 years in the position in December 2022 after a quarterfinal beating at the hands of Morocco, and took over the Poland job in January 2023.
The manager led Portugal to the 2016 European Championship victory and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in November 2019 during his ten years stint with the nation but was unable to make it to the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar after a brief dispute with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 68-year-old Portuguese International had also managed the Greece national team from 2010-2014.
Fernando Santos has been the head coach of Poland for more than 8 months, however, he has only been in charge for a total of 6 games. The June friendly win over Germany, by a score of 1-0, was his team’s most memorable performance under his leadership.
However, the ex-manager did not make it to the end of his first qualifying group stage with Poland.
Poland is currently in fourth place in their five-team European Championship qualifying group, behind Albania, the Czech Republic, and Moldova, despite Robert Lewandowski’s three goals.
Meanwhile, Poland will most likely qualify for the playoffs for Euro 2024 in March which will be played in Germany, thanks to their standing in the Nations League.
What’s next for Poland?
On October 12, Poland will travel to play the Faroe Islands. Even if Poland doesn’t place in the top two in Group E, they will still qualify for the Euro 2024 play-off round delaying a shocking series of outcomes affecting numerous top-tier teams in the next two months.
Therefore, the nation will be in search of Fernando Santos’s successor before the next International break in October, when they’ll be looking forward to qualifying for the Euro 2024 in Germany.
