Bruno Fernandes reacts as Fernando Santos exits as Portugal boss while Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to respond

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Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has paid tribute to Portugal manager Fernando Santos after he departed his role.

The FPF announced earlier today Santos has is no longer manager, after Portugal’s defeat in the World Cup quarter-finals. BBC Sport report Santos stepped down from his role.

Portugal were beaten 1-0 by Morocco, missing out on a semi-final against France, which would have been a repeat of the 2006 tournament.

Two United stars featured for Portugal, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot.

Bruno Fernandes pays tribute

Bruno Fernandes paid tribute to Santos after his sacking, with a post on Instagram, thanking him for his contribution.

Santos had been in charge of Portugal for eight years, leading them to winning Euro 2016.

Fernandes wrote: “A thank you to Mister Fernando Santos. Thank you for the opportunity to represent our country and for the trust placed in recent years.

“As Portuguese, thank you for putting Portugal at the top of Europe and giving back confidence and believing to a “small” country that was possible to be among the “big ones”.

“Moments of glory and joy and others of sadness and frustration but history has been made and will forever be marked its name in the heart of all Portuguese.”

Santos’ big decision was benching Cristiano Ronaldo in the knockout stages. This was a high-risk strategy, which paid off in the last 16, with a 6-1 win over Switzerland, as his replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick.

But the 1-0 defeat to Morocco meant the decision faced intense scrutiny in his homeland. Ronaldo did play the final 30 minutes, and only mustered one shot at goal.

Portugal only just qualified through the play-offs and Santos was already under pressure heading into the tournament.

Ronaldo yet to respond

Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to react to Santos’ sacking. He has not yet released a post on social media.

Ronaldo is currently a free agent and has been training with former club Real Madrid, BBC Sport report.