Greece coach Fernando Santos wants to extend his deal with the national team after securing its place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The Portuguese, who undertook the role in 2010 after the departure of Otto Rehhagel, has lost just four of his 41 matches in charge and led his side to next year’s tournament in Brazil with a 4-2 aggregate play-off triumph over Romania.

Santos’ contract is due to expire before the finals, but he is keen to continue his good work after Greece achieved back-to-back FIFA World Cup qualifications for the first time.

“We are in Brazil and we are pleased,” he said after the second-leg draw in Bucharest. “I said that, at the right time, we would speak of renewal.

“Now I can say ‘let’s sit down’, then we’ll make the decision for the good of all.

“Come together for Brazil and then we’ll see. My heart tells me to stay. Nowhere have I been so loved as in Greece.”

Santos guided Greece to the quarter-finals in EURO 2012 and will be hoping to maintain its eight-match unbeaten run ahead of the finals.

It took just 15 minutes for the Greek side to score their ticket to Brazil after Costas Mitroglou sunk a goal with the help of captain Giorgios Karagounis. The equaliser in the second half gave some momentum to the hosts, but the Greek defence remained solid till the end, showing their experience.

Qualifying this week was important for the coach, but he reflected that the whole country should be the one rightfully celebrating. It’s a chance for Greece to forget its economic problems and feel nationalistic in a peaceful way.

“I know that this qualification is important to me, for the players, but also for the Greek people,” said Santos after the match.

“It is a message of hope and faith. Belief in our abilities and hope that the wheel will turn and we will find ourselves overcoming the [economic] crisis.”

Streets were filled with happy faces this time, waving flags and cheering on their country’s players.

Now Santos will be looking to secure some strong friendlies to keep the team active and at World Cup level before the June group stages.