Roberto Martinez steps down as Portugal head coach

Roberto Martinez has announced his resignation as the head coach of the Portuguese national team following a 1-0 loss to Spain in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The Spanish manager stated that his cycle with the team has concluded, necessitating a leadership change. Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca is currently looking for a successor to lead the team through Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, which Portugal will co-host with Spain and Morocco. According to reports from the publication A Bola, 71-year-old coach Jorge Jesus is the primary candidate for the role. A meeting between Jorge Jesus and Pedro Proenca is expected to take place shortly to discuss potential terms of employment. The search for a new manager marks a significant transition period for the Portuguese squad.