What is fernando santos?

Fernando Santos is a Portuguese football manager and former player. Born on October 10, 1954, in Lisbon, Portugal, he began his football career as a defender. Santos played for Estoril Praia and Marítimo during his playing career, which spanned from the early 1970s to the late 1980s.

After retiring as a player, Santos transitioned into football management. He gained prominence in managerial roles at various clubs in Portugal and Greece, including Porto, Sporting CP, and AEK Athens. He is notably recognized for his successful stint as the head coach of the Greek national team from 2010 to 2014, guiding them to the knockout stages of both UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Santos is best known for his tenure as the head coach of the Portuguese national team, a position he held from 2014 to 2022. Under his guidance, Portugal won their first major international trophy, the UEFA European Championship in 2016, followed by the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019. Santos is admired for his tactical acumen, defensive organization, and ability to get the best out of his squads in competitive tournaments.

His contributions to Portuguese football and international success have made him one of the most respected managers in the game's modern history.