The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Soccer›Fernando Santos
Sports • Soccer

Fernando Santos

Fernando Santos is a Portuguese football manager and former player, born in Lisbon on 10 October 1954.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Fernando Santos is a Portuguese football manager and former player, born in Lisbon on 10 October 1954. He is best known for leading Portugal to victory at UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League. His extensive coaching career also includes managing clubs in Portugal and Greece as well as the Greece national team.

Early life and playing career

Fernando Santos was born in Lisbon and played as a defender. His playing career was modest compared with his later success as a coach.

Club coaching career

Santos worked for several clubs in Portugal and Greece, including Porto, Benfica, Sporting CP, AEK Athens and PAOK. At Porto, he won multiple domestic honours, including league and cup titles.

International management

He coached the Greece national team from 2010, leading them to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. He later became Portugal manager and won Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.

Later career

After leaving Portugal in 2022, Santos took charge of Poland in 2023 before being dismissed later that year. He subsequently managed Azerbaijan in 2024.

Key facts

  • Fernando Santos is a Portuguese football manager and former defender.
  • He led Portugal to its first major international title at Euro 2016.
  • He also won the 2019 UEFA Nations League with Portugal.
  • He managed the 'Big Three' of Portuguese football: Porto, Benfica and Sporting CP.
  • His international coaching career includes Greece, Poland and Azerbaijan.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Fernando Santos?
Fernando Santos is a Portuguese football manager and former defender best known for coaching Portugal to Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
What was Fernando Santos's playing position?
He played as a defender.
Which national teams has Fernando Santos managed?
He has managed Greece, Portugal, Poland and Azerbaijan.
What are Fernando Santos's biggest coaching achievements?
His biggest achievements are winning UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League with Portugal.
Which clubs did Fernando Santos coach in Portugal?
He coached several major Portuguese clubs, including Porto, Sporting CP and Benfica.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Santos_(footballer,_born_1954)
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, playing position, club and international coaching career, major honours, later roles.
  2. Wikipedia (Portuguese) — https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Santos_(treinador_de_futebol)
    Supports: Club honours, work in Greece, and Portugal's Euro 2016 and Nations League wins.
  3. Wikipedia (Polish) — https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Santos
    Supports: Later coaching career and dismissal date from the Poland job.
  4. Wikipedia (Indonesian) — https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Santos
    Supports: Appointment as Azerbaijan manager in June 2024.