Sportskeeda Football Awards 2016: Manager of the Year 2016

#3 Fernando Santos: Total Score = 14 (Experts pick 2, Fans vote 6)

Portugal’s squad throws their championship winning coach in the air

Portugal have always flattered to deceive on the world stage. Their best teams have always attacked with vim and vigour, and have always lost the plot when it comes to crunch time. This time around they were different. This time, they came out to win – and not to entertain. And they did that. After nearly a century of trying, Portugal claimed their first international triumph.

And the credit for that goes to – no, not Cristiano Ronaldo – Fernando Santos. With Pepe anchoring a defence that was nigh on impregnable during the tournament, and Ronaldo helming an attack that was ruthlessly clinical in their finishing. He’s turned Portugal into a win-at-all-costs machine – and the win rate of 64.52% in 31 games is an indicator of just that. As he said it himself – “We were as simple as doves and as wise as serpents.”

Winning EURO 2016 was Portugal’s most glorious sporting moment, and for that he is no. 3 on our list.