What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Fernando Santos, the veteran coach who led Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship, has resigned from his position as the head coach of the Azerbaijan national soccer team. This decision comes after Azerbaijan suffered a significant 5-0 loss to Iceland in their opening game of the World Cup qualifiers. The resignation was mutually agreed upon, according to the Azerbaijan soccer federation. Santos faced criticism from the federation's secretary general, Jahanhir Farajullayev, who expressed dissatisfaction with the team's management and performance under Santos. The Under-21 team coach, Aykhan Abbasov, will temporarily take over for the upcoming match against Ukraine.
Why It's Important?
The resignation of Fernando Santos marks a significant change in leadership for the Azerbaijan national team, which could impact their performance in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers. Santos, known for his successful tenure with Portugal, was expected to bring experience and strategic insight to Azerbaijan. His departure may lead to uncertainty and require the team to adapt quickly under new management. This change could affect Azerbaijan's chances in the qualifiers, influencing their standing in international soccer and potentially altering the dynamics within the team.
What's Next?
Azerbaijan is set to face Ukraine in their next qualifying match, with Aykhan Abbasov stepping in as the interim coach. The team will need to regroup and strategize under new leadership to improve their performance. Following the match against Ukraine, Azerbaijan will play against France in Paris, a challenging fixture given France's strong soccer history. The team's ability to adapt to these changes and perform well in upcoming matches will be crucial for their success in the World Cup qualifiers.
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