What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Fernando Santos has left his position as the head coach of the Azerbaijan national football team. This decision follows a 5-0 defeat to Iceland in the team's first qualifying match for the upcoming World Cup. The resignation was mutually agreed upon, as confirmed by the Azerbaijan soccer federation. Santos, who led Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship, faced criticism from the federation's secretary general for the team's poor performance. Aykhan Abbasov, the coach of Azerbaijan's Under-21 team, will take over for the next match against Ukraine. Santos has previously been dismissed from the Poland national team after Portugal's exit from the 2022 World Cup.
Why It's Important?
The departure of Fernando Santos is a pivotal moment for Azerbaijan's national team, as they are in the midst of World Cup qualifiers. Santos brought a wealth of experience, having previously led Portugal to significant victories. His resignation could lead to shifts in team dynamics and strategy, potentially affecting Azerbaijan's performance in upcoming matches. The criticism from the federation highlights internal challenges and pressures faced by the team. This change in leadership might influence Azerbaijan's standing in international football and their ability to compete effectively in the qualifiers.
What's Next?
Azerbaijan is set to face Ukraine in their next World Cup qualifying match, with Aykhan Abbasov stepping in as interim coach. The team will need to quickly adapt to the new leadership and address the issues highlighted by the federation. Following the match against Ukraine, Azerbaijan will play against France in October, a game that will test the team's resilience and ability to perform under pressure. The upcoming matches are crucial for Azerbaijan's qualification hopes, and the team's response to the coaching change will be closely monitored.
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