Istanbul's top division side Besiktas on Sunday appointed Portuguese legend Fernando Santos as head coach in the hope of reviving their chase for a Champions League spot.

Santos led Portugal to victory in the Euro 2016 championship and also had successful managerial stints with Greece.

The 69-year-old moves to Istanbul following a brief spell as manager of Poland during which he failed to clinch a spot in this year's European championships in Germany.

Besiktas sit sixth in Turkey's Super Lig near the halfway point of the season and are 18 points out of an automatic Champions League qualifying spot.

The black-and-whites have won 21 Turkish league titles and are spearheaded this season by former Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Santos played most of his career as a defender with the Portuguese side Estoril before retiring in 1987 and becoming a coach.