Portugal names Jorge Jesus as its latest national team manager

Portugal's search for a new head coach has come to an end with the official appointment of Jorge Jesus, a move that follows the departure of Roberto Martínez in the aftermath of the country's exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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The Portuguese Football Federation made the announcement on Friday, bringing an end to speculation over who would succeed Martínez, whose tenure concluded with a 1-0 Round of 16 defeat to Spain.

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Martínez's decision to step down was made public after the World Cup loss, with the coach revealing that his contract had expired at the end of Portugal's campaign.

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Jorge Jesus, aged 71, will now take the reins, drawing on his extensive and successful experience in managerial roles, including previous stints with Portuguese powerhouses Benfica and Sporting CP.

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Jesus's most recent coaching position was with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he guided the team to the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title.

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A notable aspect of Jesus's background is his prior working relationship with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he enjoyed a productive partnership at Al-Nassr, where Ronaldo scored 29 goals in 33 appearances last season.

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Ronaldo, now 41, has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup would be the last of his career, although the Portugal captain has yet to disclose whether he will also retire from international football.

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The appointment of Jesus marks the completion of Portugal's swift managerial transition, as the federation seeks to rebuild and begin preparations for upcoming international competitions under his guidance.