Bento steps down as Portugal coach

Paulo Bento has stepped down from his role as Portugal coach, with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announcing that the 45-year-old has left by mutual consent.

"An agreement has been reached to terminate the contract of coach Paulo Bento," read the FPF's statement. "It was a decision taken together by the FPF board and the coach. We thank Paulo Bento for all he has done for our national team, taking Portugal to the finals of UEFA EURO 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. We are already working on a solution to lead the national team, which will be announced soon."

Bento, whose only previous experience as a coach had been a four-year spell with Sporting Clube de Portugal, was appointed at the Portuguese helm in September 2010 as Carlos Queiroz's replacement. The former international midfielder – capped 35 times – guided the side to the EURO semi-finals in Poland and Ukraine before losing to eventual champions Spain on penalties, yet failed to navigate the country past the group stage at this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

His last game in charge was Portugal's first match of UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group I on Sunday, where his team fell to a surprise 1-0 home defeat by Albania.