“It was decided to appoint Fernando Santos as head coach of the Azerbaijan national team, taking into account his rich experience as one of the best-known specialists in world football, his successes throughout his professional career, including the European championship with the Portuguese national team”, indicated the Federation of Azerbaijan (AFFA), in a statement on its official page.

In the same note, the organisation adds that the connection with the Portuguese coach, who will also have functions extended to the training and development of football in the country, will not be short-lived, as they have ambitious plans.

“Taking into account that the process will not be short-lived and will cover a certain period, the objective is for the Portuguese coach to form a competitive team for a successful campaign in the Euro2028 qualifying phase", explains AFFA.

The 69-year-old coach joins the Azerbaijani national team after being fired in April from Besiktas, three months after being hired.

In September last year, the coach who led Portugal to win an unprecedented European football title in 2016, had also been fired from the Polish national team, which he managed for six games.

During his career, his biggest achievement was winning the European Championship and the first edition of the Nations League with the Portuguese team, which he guided for a long period, from October 2014 to December 2022, finishing his time at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

At a national team level, the coach started his journey in 2011, with Greece, after having guided several clubs, including PAOK, Benfica, AEK, Sporting, Panathinaikos, FC Porto, Estrela da Amadora, and Estoril Praia.