Portugal hires ex-Greece coach Fernando Santos

Portugal has hired ex-Greece coach Fernando Santos to replace Paulo Bento. Santos is currently appealing an eight-game international ban for verbally abusing referees during the 2014 World Cup.

Portugal has hired ex-Greece coach Fernando Santos to replace Paulo Bento, the Associated Press reports.

Santos is currently appealing an eight-game international ban for verbally abusing referees during the 2014 World Cup. His contract with Greece expired after the tournament.

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Bento quit with mutual consent earlier this month after a Euro 2016 qualifying loss to Albania.

Portugal, currently the No. 11 ranked team in the world, was eliminated from the World Cup during the group stage. Bento took over as manager in 2010, and his contract continued until April 2016.

Portugal's next match is Oct. 11 against France.

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