PAULO BENTO, the Portugal coach, has no intention of resigning if his team fail to reach the last 16 of the World Cup.
Bento's contract runs until 2016 after it was extended in April but a poor performance in Brazil, with only one point from two games in Group G, has led to media speculation over his future.
"I am aware of my responsibilities and, in April, I reached an agreement with the federation which had nothing to do with the results of the World Cup and was connected to our objectives for 2016," he said.
"In the face of this fact, I will not step down as coach of the national team whatever happens.
"You say what is going to happen and then ask me afterwards," he told reporters. "It would be more logical to do the opposite, to ask me first and then publish what I say, not just publish what you want."
"I am the only person who is responsible for what has happened in terms of results. We will sit down and analyse what happened at the right moment."
Portugal must beat Ghana in Brasilia on Thursday and hope the game between Germany and the United States does not end in a draw to have any chance of qualifying.
Ghana, meanwhile, have solved a row over World Cup appearance fees after President John Mahama intervened, according to coach Kwesi Appiah. Appiah, whose side face Portugal in a Group G game on Thursday needing a combination of results to qualify for the last 16, said the money would arrive in Brasilia in the next few hours.
"There are some issues with money and the management and the government of the country are trying to sort it out and hopefully everything will be sorted out in 2-3 hours' time," Appiah said.
The Ghana Football Association added: "We wish to assure the public the Black Stars are in high spirits ahead of Thursday's match."
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