In a surprising turn of events during Euro 2024 qualifiers, Poland’s national football team has bid farewell to manager Fernando Santos, following a disappointing start to the 2024 UEFA European Championship qualifying tournament. The Polish Football Association (PZPN) announced the decision, citing the team’s underwhelming performance as the primary reason for Santos’s dismissal. PZPN President Cezary Kulesza expressed gratitude for Santos’s efforts, saying, “I would like to thank coach Santos for working with our national team, and I wish him good luck in his next sports challenges.” Kulesza also emphasized the urgency of selecting a new coach, with plans to announce the successor shortly.
Euro 2024 Qualifying Woes that led to Fernando Santos Exit from Poland
Poland’s difficulties in Euro 2024 qualifying became evident with defeats to Albania (2-0), Moldova (3-2), and the Czech Republic (3-1). The team’s current fourth-place standing in Group E raises doubts about their chances of advancing to the final qualifying tournament, even if they win their remaining three matches.
Santos’s Farewell:
In his parting words, Santos expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Polish national team. He stated, “Although we end our relation here, I am thankful for having led the Polish national team, and I wish the best to Poland and its people who welcomed me so well while I lived here.”
Santos’s Brief Tenure:
Fernando Santos assumed the role of Poland’s national team manager in January 2023, steering the squad through six matches, resulting in three wins and three losses. While Santos achieved a notable highlight with a 1-0 friendly win against Germany in June, Poland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign faltered, with losses in three out of five crucial games.
Santos’s Impressive Track Record:
- Portugal’s Success: Before taking the helm of Poland’s national team, Fernando Santos had an illustrious managerial career with Portugal, spanning eight years. During his tenure, he guided Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship and the UEFA Nations League in 2019, solidifying Portugal’s reputation as a footballing powerhouse.
- World Cup Journey: Santos also led Portugal through a memorable FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar in 2022. The team topped Group H and achieved a resounding 6-1 victory against Switzerland in the Round of 16. However, their journey was cut short with a 1-0 loss to Morocco in the quarterfinals, leading to Santos’s dismissal and subsequent departure from Portugal.
The unexpected exit of Fernando Santos from Poland’s national team management signifies a significant shift in the team’s direction as they strive to regain their competitive edge in European football. As the search for a new coach begins, Poland’s football enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement, hoping for a fresh start and renewed prospects in future tournaments.