Portuguese coach under fire: Never seen a manager grovel to a player like this

Portugal's performance in the group stage of the World Cup has raised doubts among critics. Chris Sutton, former Norwich, Blackburn, Celtic and Chelsea player, focused particularly on the deployment of Cristiano Ronaldo in the first three matches of the national team. Sutton harshly criticized the coach's attitude towards Ronaldo, claiming that the manager is excessively trying to ingratiate himself with the star player.

According to Sutton, this excessive dependence on Ronaldo is demotivating other players and causing unrest within the squad. The former footballer stated, 'I have never seen a manager grovel to a player like this.' This situation is seen as one of the main reasons why Portugal underperformed in the group stage.

Although Portugal entered the tournament among the favorites, their performance, especially in the first three matches, drew criticism. While Ronaldo's individual performance is also a topic of debate, the team's overall cohesion and strategic planning are being questioned. The coach's insistence on starting Ronaldo in every match is seen by some experts as disrupting the team's balance.

Chris Sutton's comments have resonated widely in the Portuguese media. Many Portuguese sports writers agreed with Sutton's criticism, while some argued that the coach's experience should be trusted. However, the general consensus is that Portugal will not achieve the desired success in the World Cup if things continue this way.

In the upcoming matches, tactical changes from the coach are expected. It is emphasized that other star players should be used more effectively alongside Ronaldo. Portugal's fate in the tournament will largely depend on how the coach responds to these criticisms.