SANTOS IS STAYING

The coach of the Greece national team, Fernando Santos, has decided to extend his contract by two more years after being extremely satisfied with the new contract being offered by the Greek football Association.

He will now be coaching at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Initially, he was contacted only up until the Euro 2012, but following the impressive performance of the national team so far, he has been offered a new contract. Fernando Santos took over as the Greek national team manager at the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was a major disappointment for the national team.

They were expected to have a major impact on the 2010 FIFA World Cup especially after having lifted the Euro 2004 only a few years ago. This led to the sacking of the 2004-winning coach Otto Rehhagel immediately after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Since the arrival of Fernando Santos, Greece have once again been rejuvenated. They have qualified for the Euro 2012, which will be taking place in a few months time. They are in the group consisting of co-hosts Poland, while the other group numbers include Russia and Czech Republic. Greece are one of the favourites to progress from this group.

Following the arrival of Fernando Santos, the Greece national team has gone on a run of 16 matches without a defeat, which has seen them qualify for the Euro 2012 by finishing top of the qualification group. Many expect Greece to be the dark horses at the Euro 2012, and the news about the contract extension by Fernando Santos will come as a major boost for the Greek players. Greece will be part of the opening ceremony and the opening match when they take on co-host Poland in the opening match of Euro 2012.