PORTUGAL COACH PAULO BENTO has left his position with the national side by mutual consent, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has announced.
Despite being captained by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal bowed out in the group stage of the World Cup in June.
Advertisement
The former Portuguese international’s last match at the helm was a 1-0 home defeat to Albania last Sunday in their first qualifier for Euro 2016.
A tenacious, tough-tackling defensive midfielder during his playing career, the 45-year-old took over the national side in September 2010 and last April extended his contract until 2016.
He took Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2012, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Spain on penalties in the semi-finals, but he could not repeat the feat at the World Cup and the start to their European Championship qualifying campaign caused alarm.
The FPF said that his successor “will be announced shortly” as they thanked Bento “for all he did for the national team”.
Portugal are next in action in October, when they face France away in a friendly before going to Denmark in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
Paulo Bento leaves Portugal job after last week's embarrassing defeat to Albania
PORTUGAL COACH PAULO BENTO has left his position with the national side by mutual consent, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has announced.
Despite being captained by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal bowed out in the group stage of the World Cup in June.
The former Portuguese international’s last match at the helm was a 1-0 home defeat to Albania last Sunday in their first qualifier for Euro 2016.
A tenacious, tough-tackling defensive midfielder during his playing career, the 45-year-old took over the national side in September 2010 and last April extended his contract until 2016.
He took Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2012, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Spain on penalties in the semi-finals, but he could not repeat the feat at the World Cup and the start to their European Championship qualifying campaign caused alarm.
The FPF said that his successor “will be announced shortly” as they thanked Bento “for all he did for the national team”.
Portugal are next in action in October, when they face France away in a friendly before going to Denmark in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
Explainer: Here’s everything you need to know about Ireland’s Euro 2020 bid
Analysis: How will Manchester United line up against QPR on Sunday?
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Cristiano Ronaldo Euro 2016 exit door Paulo Bento Portugal