Portugal national team coach Fernando Santos is set to be sacked.
According to local reports, the two parties are haggling over a severance package, but the veteran manager is set to get the boot and is wearing the insult of having replacements approached before his termination is complete.
Portugal football officials have already approached legendary coach Jose Mourinho, The Sun reports.
One report claims Mourinho could even be given permission to continue on as Roma manager while juggling his commitments with the national team as they prepare for the Euro 2024 tournament.
Corriere dello Sport claims Portugal chiefs are taking action after last week’s World Cup quarter-final exit to Morocco, who play France in tomorrow’s semi-final.
The move comes days after a public falling out between superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and the coach, after the 37-year-old was dumped to the bench.
Santos looked like a genius in axing Ronaldo during the team’s Round of 16 thumping, but his gamble didn’t pay off in the match against Morocco.
Euro 2016 winner Santos looks to be coming to the end of the road after a six-year spell.
And Mourinho has been identified as the man to reverse Portugal’s fortunes in their next major tournament.
Indeed, national team beaks have already made an approach to the ex-Chelsea and Manchester United boss about replacing Santos in the new year.
Portugal kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying chapter on March 23 against Liechenstein.
And they would like Mourinho fully in position before then, giving him time to identify Portugal’s top talents for a new tactical system.
One issue for the FA is that Mourinho remains totally committed to Roma, despite being tempted by the prospect of a first-ever international gig.
And Portugal chiefs are prepared to let Mourinho work both roles should Roma agree to the arrangement.
Should Mou replace Santos, one of his first tasks will be to decide the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The ex-Man Utd man is now a free agent and was dropped for Portugal’s final two World Cup games.
However, reports claims Ronaldo is not planning to retire from international duty and sees himself leading the line at the next Euros.
Mourinho and Ronnie worked together for several years at Real Madrid, breaking Barcelona’s LaLiga domination.
But it would remain to be seen whether Mourinho sees Ronaldo in the same light a decade later.
— This story originally appeared on thesun.co.uk and has been republished with permission
