Santos, the European Champion, Faces Disgraceful Ranking Decline

In 2016, Portuguese coach Fernando Santos guided his national team to a European Championship win. Since then, he has taken on various roles, including positions with the Poland national team and Turkish club Beşiktaş. However, his recent assignment has been a major setback, placing him among the least successful coaches.

Details: Following his time with the Azerbaijan national team, Santos now shares 9th–11th place for the lowest average points per match among coaches. He is alongside notable figures like Turkey’s Engin Firat, who managed Moldova, and Sweden’s Hans Backe during his stint with Finland.

Coaches with the lowest average points per match in UEFA zone (minimum 10 matches)

1. 0.04 points per match — Pierangelo Manzaroli (San Marino national team, 2014–2017, 25 matches)
2. 0.05 — Martin Stocklasa (Liechtenstein national team, 2021–2023, 21)
3. 0.05 — Jógvan Martin Olsen (Faroe Islands national team, 2005–2008, 20)
4. 0.06 — Giampaolo Mazza (San Marino national team, 1998–2013, 85)
5. 0.06 — Franco Varrella (San Marino national team, 2018–2021, 36)
6. 0.06 — Jeff Wood (Gibraltar national team, 2015–2018, 17)
7. 0.10 — Fabrizio Costantini (San Marino national team, 2021–2023, 20)
8. 0.15 — Allan Simonsen (Luxembourg national team, 2001–2004, 27)
9. 0.18 — Fernando Santos (Azerbaijan national team, 2024–2025, 11)
10. 0.18 — Engin Firat (Moldova national team, 2019–2020, 11)
11. 0.18 — Hans Backe (Finland national team, 2016, 11)