Euro 2016-winning Portugal manager Fernando Santos is facing an uprising over his latest failure.
The 70-year-old coach was swiftly fired from his previous two jobs with Besiktas and Poland, and things aren’t going any better with Azerbaijan.
The country’s latest defeat, a 5-0 hammering from Iceland in World Cup qualifying, made it nine defeats and two draws in 11 games for Santos, who has conceded 29 goals and scored just four.
In the aftermath, the general secretary of the Azerbaijani football federation, Jahangir Farajullayev, said: “There’s nothing to say, but at the same time, I want to say a lot.
“These guys don’t deserve such management and results. We respect the opponent, but if we play like this against this opponent and stay on the defensive from the first minutes, then those are our problems.
“The system was chosen incorrectly. The coach didn’t do his homework. The coach’s attitude towards Azerbaijani football and the people is incorrect.
“We’ll hear Fernando Santos at the post-match press conference. I hope this man takes responsibility. We don’t need such cowardly football. If the coach doesn’t resign, we will take action. We’re waiting for the right decision from him.”
Arriving at his post-match press conference, Santos said he wouldn’t resign, with local reports suggesting he’s holding out for a pay-off.
“I’ve already said it, I have a contract, I fulfil my contracts,” he said.
“I do my best, everything I know, I give it my all, I work hard to try to improve, and that’s what I’ll continue to do. That’s what I’ve always done throughout my career.”
His answers didn’t go down well with the Azerbaijani media, with one journalist asking if he knows if there’s a direct flight from Iceland to Portugal.
“No,” Santos replied, awaiting his likely sacking.
That decision was confirmed a day later, with Santos attempting to keep things classy in his farewell.
“I cannot fail to thank the Federation President for the respect and personal consideration he has always shown me,” he said.
“I also thank the people of Azerbaijan for the hospitality and affection they have shown me throughout this period.
“The objective proposed to me by the Azerbaijan Federation in June 2024 was to restructure the country’s football foundations from a technical and infrastructural perspective, including competitive structures and training, with a view to fielding a competitive team in the Euro 2028 qualifying phase.
“I presented, with the necessary adaptations, a comprehensive plan in September 2024, similar to other projects I have developed in federations where I have worked.
“I hope this project will be useful to the AFFA and that it will motivate the necessary investment to create and develop football talent that will enable better results in the future. I wish everyone the best of luck.”
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