Key Takeaways
- Portugal have appointed Jorge Jesus as their new head coach.
- Jesus replaces Roberto Martinez, who stepped down after the World Cup loss to Spain.
- Ronaldo confirmed this will be his last World Cup appearance.
Portugal has announced that former Benfica and Sporting coach Jorge Jesus has been appointed as their new head coach. The appointment comes just days after Roberto Martinez, who had led the team since 2019, stepped down following Portugal's exit from the World Cup at the hands of Spain in the last-16 stage.
Martinez cited his contract expiring after the defeat against Spain as the reason for his departure. The decision to replace him was made public on Friday, signaling a new chapter for the national team’s coaching staff.
Jesus, who is 71 years old and has spent much of his career in Portugal, will take over from Martinez. His most recent coaching role was with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he led the team to victory in the Saudi Pro League title during the 2025-26 season.
The appointment of Jesus is seen as a return to familiar territory for him, given his extensive experience in Portuguese football. His last significant coaching stint was with Al-Nassr, where he managed to secure a major league trophy, demonstrating his ability to lead teams to success.
Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 29 goals in 33 appearances under Jesus, confirmed that this World Cup will be his final one. The 41-year-old superstar did not make an immediate decision on his international retirement but hinted at the possibility of ending his career with Portugal after this tournament.
The appointment of Jorge Jesus is expected to bring a new tactical approach and leadership style to the national team, potentially influencing their performance in upcoming matches. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he implements his strategies on the pitch.
With the World Cup behind them, Portugal now faces the challenge of rebuilding their squad under new management. The appointment of Jesus is a significant move that could shape the future direction of the national team.
