Back-to-back Round of 16 exits for Portugal raise reasonable questions over Fernando Santos' future

Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph remains the greatest sporting memory for most Portuguese football fans situated across the globe. An unexpected triumph that saw Portugal reach the pinnacle of European football, something few nations ever have the chance to experience.

Fernando Santos’ tactical nous was a key component in getting a Portugal squad that did not boast too many world-renowned stars to work together in grinding out results and becoming particularly difficult to beat, and he deserves heaps of praise for the entire campaign.

It is true that Portugal won just one match within 90 minutes - their 2-0 semi-final victory over Wales - winning a further two during extra time - including against France in the final - and one more on penalties, having originally drawn all three of their group stage games against unfancied footballing outfits in Iceland, Austria and Hungary. It was unspectacular, but the crucial factor was that Portugal did not lose a single match throughout the campaign - and if you do not lose, you will inevitably be crowned champions in knockout football.

This tournament, however, things were very different. Portugal fell to a humbling 4-2 loss to Germany in the group stage, which was perhaps a warning sign that this wasn’t to be Portugal’s campaign. The last time a nation lost in the group stage and went on to win the entire competition was Greece at Euro 2004.

That wouldn’t be the case with Portugal though, who ended their tournament with a record of 1 win, 1 draw and 2 defeats - Portugal’s worst ever performance at a Euros final. It is a pretty damning statistic considering this is widely considered to be Portugal’s strongest team in history, and any other manager may have a tough time keeping their job after such an underwhelming tournament.

It is, however, also somewhat justifiable. Portugal could hardly have been given a harder run at this competition - and for the defending champions, it seems beyond harsh. As a pot 3 side going into the group stage draw courtesy of only qualifying for the tournament in 2nd place behind Ukraine, Portugal were drawn alongside reigning world champions France and European heavyweights Germany, in addition to a Hungary side who Portugal had to face in Budapest. Finishing on 4 points from those 3 games was nothing to be ashamed of, but that ultimately meant they only finished 3rd in the group, and meant they would then have to face Belgium - ranked 1st in the world rankings - in the following round.

It was no shock to see Portugal lose that one - in fact, international media widely saw Belgium as the favourites in the clash. But Portugal gave a very good account of themselves, particularly in the second half. If all that mattered in football were the statistics, Portugal were clearly the side that deserved to win the game - and relatively comfortably too. But despite such an entertaining 2nd half performance, questions will be asked about Fernando Santos and calls for his sacking will grow increasingly frequent - and it is something that should be given the acknowledgement that it deserves.

After all, this is not just one isolated tournament. At the last World Cup in 2018, Portugal were also knocked out of the competition at the round of 16 - and again finished the tournament with just a single victory from their four matches, drawing versus Spain in a 3-3 thriller and beating Morocco in a match they were played off the park in for large spells, before drawing against Iran and losing against Uruguay.

One disappointing tournament is perhaps forgivable - particularly when you are the man to have overseen Portugal lift their first major trophy in history. However, when it happens twice back to back, there should be legitimate concerns as to whether the nation are heading in the right direction.

Portugal are fortuitous in boasting a range of top class managers, some of whom are currently available and would excite many Portuguese football fans, who believe that they boast a squad that deserves to play more adventurous football.

Andre Vilas-Boas is one such name, who has made no secret of his desire to manage a national team and lead a country at a World Cup. What better nation to do that with than his own? Vitor Pereira is another viable option, an experienced coach who had a highly successful spell in China with Shanghai SIPG, as is Marco Silva, who has had a managerial career with plenty of positives even if his time in England has at times led to an element of scepticism regarding his credentials.

The likes of Nuno Espirito Santo and Paulo Fonseca look likely to be joining a new club outfit imminently, but at the time of writing they too are available if Portugal were to act fast enough, the latter a particularly exciting prospect. And these are just the names that are currently unemployed. Portugal will have a wide selection of interested candidates if they deemed change as necessary.

But it is a big decision to take; after all, Portugal have had supremely talented squads in the past, but they never managed to deliver silverware. With Fernando Santos, Portugal were able to do what they had never done before and get the job done. To lose him would be to lose the most successful manager in Portugal’s history, and there’s something to be said about being careful about what you wish for.

Emotions are high right now and though plenty wanted change long before the tournament got underway, others who have been supporters of Santos to this point may be wavering. But taking time to reflect and consider the options before making a rash decision is a sensible approach to such a significant decision.