Santos to step down from Greece post

Fernando Santos will end his four-year reign as Greece coach after this summer's FIFA World Cup having turned down a proposed contract extension from the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO).

Santos, who succeeded Otto Rehhagel in July 2010, is expected to outline the reasons behind the move on Friday at a press conference initially called to name his squad for the home friendly against South Korea on 5 March.

The 59-year-old Portuguese trainer took Greece to both the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-finals and this summer's World Cup in Brazil, where the 2004 European champions will face Colombia, Japan and Ivory Coast in Group C.

Santos's decision was announced by EPO president Giorgos Sarris, who said: "I've just informed the members of EPO administrative council that Fernando Santos will end his tenure at the helm of the Greek national team after the World Cup finals.

"It is obvious that, despite his decision not to extend his contract, we have the highest regard for Mr Santos and won't deviate from our efforts to achieve our common goals in the upcoming World Cup."

Sarris also stressed that "the national team deserve the best and I am determined to do the best. My priority now is to provide the ideal solution for the national coach position, as we aim for a smooth and safe transition ahead of UEFA EURO 2016 qualification in September."

Greece are in qualifying Group F for that tournament, alongside the Faroe Islands, Finland, Hungary, Northern Ireland and Romania.