NEXT FOREIGNER

The identity of the individual who will assume the role of head coach of the Azerbaijan national football team has finally been revealed. Following a six-month search, the renowned Portuguese coach Fernando Santos was selected for the position.

Ups and Downs

Santos is best known as the coach who took Portugal to Euro 2016. There are a number of interesting moments in his dossier. His career has been linked with Benfica, Estoril Praia and Maritimo. He began his coaching career in 1987 as an assistant at Estoril Praia. He became head coach the following season and remained in charge until 1994. He then spent four years in charge of Estrela, where he failed to make an impact. In 1998, he began coaching Porto, with whom he won the league once, the Portuguese Cup twice and the Super Cup twice. From 2001 to 2010 he coached clubs such as AEK, Panathinaikos, Sporting, Benfica and PAOK. In the 2001/2002 season, he managed to win the Greek Cup.

It was his work in Greek clubs that attracted the attention of the country's football authorities. On 1 July 2010, he took charge of the Greek national team. He was in charge of the national team at the 2012 and 2014 World Cups, leading them to the play-offs on both occasions.

On September 23, 2014, an important event took place in Santos' life. He achieved the goal he had long dreamed of - becoming head coach of the Portuguese national team. Santos will remain in charge until December 15, 2022, during which time he will lead the national team to European and Nations League titles. Curiously, after leaving his country's national team, Santos changed clubs like a glove. Last year he was sacked as coach of Poland after just nine months in charge. At the start of this year he was in charge of Besiktas, but his stint in Türkiye lasted just three months. He took charge of the Black Eagles on January 7 and was sacked on April 13.

Santos: A National Team I Believe In

At the presentation in Baku, the Portuguese specialist expressed satisfaction with his new position, stating that it was important for him to understand the future plans and projects during the negotiations. He further noted that this understanding was essential for the successful completion of the project. With the assistance of my coaching staff and the Azerbaijani Football Federation (AFFA), it is possible to achieve historic results in the future. In this respect, it is important to cooperate with the clubs as well. I believe that with me, Azerbaijan will achieve a lot and will be able to take part in big tournaments. I had better offers, but I am in the Azerbaijan national team, in which I believe.

Santos emphasised that his objective is to qualify for the European Championships in 2028, stating that Georgia's participation in such a tournament serves as an inspiration for them. He further noted that success does not occur spontaneously; rather, it is the result of a combination of factors, including the trust of the people. He expressed hope for their success and stated that his assistants and he will be residing in Azerbaijan. They will not be returning to their homeland after the game. He emphasised the importance of taking their work seriously and stated that they will also be relocating their families to Azerbaijan.

The primary objective is to emerge victorious, which necessitates the formation of a formidable team. It is imperative to possess the capacity to both attack and defend. I have observed the most recent two matches of the club. I have competed against the Azerbaijani national team and have resided in Baku. I am intimately acquainted with this team. Our objective is to demonstrate exemplary football. To this end, we require the endorsement of supporters. We will endeavour to present a display of spectacular football, thereby persuading individuals to attend the stadium. The primary objective is to qualify for the continental championship in 2028.

Is age the most crucial factor?

In general, AFFA has been taken aback by the approval of the 69-year-old Portuguese as head coach of the national team. Interestingly, the focus is on age, rather than Santos' coaching abilities. How significant is the age factor in coaching?

In response to this query, Region Plus consulted with Aghasalim Mirjavadov, an elder of Azerbaijani football, who is eight years older than Santos. "Age is irrelevant. If one possesses the requisite physical strength, it would be ill-advised to refrain from exerting oneself. It is not customary for coaches to participate in matches on the field. The head coach previously employed two assistant coaches. The number of coaches has now increased to between 10 and 12. The most important factor is intelligence, quality and experience. I have not received any such offers. In our country, the conventional wisdom is that a man is considered to be old as soon as he reaches the age of 60. However, Fernando Santos has been invited to assume the role, and he is a seasoned coach with considerable experience. He achieved considerable success with the Portuguese national team. He was employed by a club where he had the opportunity to work with some of the most renowned footballers in the world. There is a significant disparity between Azerbaijan and Portugal. I have consistently demonstrated loyalty to my coaches. It is my opinion that the national team should be headed by a local coach. The football played in Spain and Portugal is similar to that played in Azerbaijan. Should he be invited, it would be prudent to extend him our best wishes.

Fernando Santos will become the seventh foreign coach to work with the Azerbaijan national team. Carlos Alberto Torres, Gjoko Gadzievski, Berti Vogts, Robert Prosinečki, Nikola Jurčević, and Gianni De Biasi are not remembered for their work with the national team. The most notable achievement in Santos' coaching career is his role as head coach of the Portuguese national team during the 2016 UEFA European Championship. However, the aforementioned team boasted the talents of several notable players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, and Nani. The Azerbaijani national team is devoid of world-class players. Consequently, it may be the case that Santos' involvement in this capacity represents the conclusion of his professional career.

AFFA has entered into a four-year contract with the Portuguese specialist. One must consider whether Santos will remain in his post until the conclusion of the contract. It is also pertinent to note that the 69-year-old coach resigned from his previous two roles prematurely.

Santos' inaugural examination will occur in September during the UEFA Nations League. The national team will compete against Slovakia, Sweden and Estonia.