By Melody Gross 
Pedro Proenca, the president of Liga Portugal, has left an open letter to Fernando Santos. On social media, the coach highlighted the coach’s achievements at the helm of the national team.
This is the message from Pedro Proença:
“Fernando Santos, my dear friend. To preserve our intimacy, there are truths that we take together, such as the mutual respect that we have built throughout our lives. We took steps together, each of us walked his own path in life. I have always admired the way in which, in my activity as an athlete, I have comforted myself with your respect. With you, gentleman, with a smile and an easy embrace, I grew as a person. I found in you, I dare say we all found in you, that rare kind of person whose dimensions are collegial, and whose personality integral and unchanging can leave a trace of friendship and admiration for all the contexts through which they pass.” .
“Dear Fernando Santos, you were already the national coach when I assumed the presidency of Portugal’s La Liga in 2015. It was you who allowed me, and millions of Portuguese people around the world, to celebrate their first major trophy. The national team, which won the European Championship in 2016. You Who led Portugal in Porto to victory in the first edition of the Nations League.In the days when you were at the helm of the team for all the Portuguese, you were leading us.
I smile with you. Me and millions of Portuguese. And we cried with you too, because football is like that. He can be ungrateful. But there is one thing you will always have in football: memory. And that is why, dear Fernando Santos, you deserve my thanks for everything you have done for Portugal. And I am sure that it will extend to all those who really love the national team.
“I conclude by sharing what will not be news to you; our paths will certainly cross in the future. We are both sure of it because, first and foremost, we are friends,” it can be read.