(Football news) Former Portugal manager Fernando Santos is all set to be appointed as the new Poland boss, according to reports. Their former manager Czeslaw Michniewicz left his post at the end of last year following Poland’s last 16 exit at the World Cup. Ex Aston Villa head coach and former Liverpool player Steven Gerrard had been linked with the job for quite some time but according to Fabrizio Romano, Santos, who was sacked by the Portugal federation last month after eight years in charge, is now expected to beat the Liverpool legend to the job.

Portugal were eliminated by Uruguay in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup. After that they got eliminated in the European Championship in 2020 at the same stage as they went down 1-0 to Belgium. At the World Cup last month, Santos’ men were stunned by the incredible Moroccan team in the quarter-finals which ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of lifting the World Cup with Portugal. Santos has also coached the likes of Porto, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Greece, and will inherit a Poland team which will be spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski.

Although in Qatar, the Barcelona striker was 34 and helped his country progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 1986. But they were ultimately eliminated by defending champions France in the last 16 where they lost 3-1 following a Kylian Mbappe masterclass. Santos is now set to take them up to the next World Cup and mainly prepare for the upcoming Euros qualification group featuring Czech Republic, Albania, Faroe Islands and Moldova. Portugal have also quickly moved as the former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez was appointed as head coach of Portugal. 

Romano tweeted: “Poland are closing in on agreement to appoint Fernando Santos as new head coach — deal expected to be valid until June 2026. Former Portugal coach is discussing the final details to get it done soon.”

Also read: Tottenham Hotspur get narrow 1-0 win over Fulham