FC Porto are looking for their fourth coach since José Mourinho departed last summer, after José Couceiro stood down in the wake of the northern club's failure to retain the Portuguese SuperLiga title.

Benfica champions
The 41-year-old resigned as coach at Vitória FC on 1 February to replace Víctor Fernández at the Estádio do Dragão, with the Spaniard having taken over following Italian Luigi Del Neri's short spell at the helm at the start of the season. "Our goal is at least to retain the Portuguese title," Couceiro said at the time, but his side finished the campaign three points behind champions SL Benfica.

Offer
Couceiro resigned in the early hours of Monday morning, despite being offered a role on the coaching staff for next season. Speaking after Sunday's 1-1 home draw with A. Académica de Coimbra, he said: "I'm very grateful that Porto appreciate the work I have done and invited me to stay on. However, I think it's best for me and the club that I decline. I'd already turned it down - my decision had nothing to do with the championship."

Reign over
In addition to relinquishing the Portuguese title, Porto's reign as European champions ended in March when they were eliminated by FC Internazionale Milano in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.