Fenerbahce manager, Jose Mourinho, has spoken for the first time since Portugal were eliminated from Euro 2024.
Mourinho had picked his country as one of the favourites to win the competition.
Roberto Martinez’s men finished top of Group F and saw off Slovenia on penalties in the last 16.
However, they were eliminated by France in the quarter final after another shoot-out.
Mourinho admits that Portugal’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the build up to the Euros raised alarm bells.
“Portugal wasn’t fantastic, despite reaching the quarter-finals. We expected more. I was at the National Stadium for the Portugal-Croatia match and it didn’t smell good. I didn’t get a great feeling.
“During the tournament we were the team that was making progress, but we weren’t convincing.
“Often, when the moment of truth comes, these teams are stronger. This wasn’t the end of Portugal, there wasn’t any improvement in the team.
“But it’s a young team, apart from the two veterans [Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe], a team with years ahead of them. The World Cup is just around the corner,” Mourinho told Sport TV.
Euro 2024: It didn’t smell good – Mourinho on why Portugal were eliminated