Portugal coach Roberto Martinez is expected to step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with reports indicating the Spaniard will leave the role when his contract expires at the end of the tournament.
According to talkSPORT, Martinez has decided against extending his stay with the Portuguese national team and is set to depart regardless of how Portugal perform at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 52-year-old was appointed in January 2023 following the departure of Fernando Santos and has overseen one of the most talented squads in international football.
During his tenure, Martinez has worked with a generation featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leao, Vitinha and Joao Neves, helping Portugal maintain its status among Europe’s leading national teams.
The report adds that Martinez is interested in returning to club management after spending the last decade in international football. Before taking charge of Belgium and later Portugal, he managed Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Everton in England.
His most notable club success came in 2013 when he guided Wigan Athletic to a historic FA Cup triumph.
For now, Martinez remains focused on Portugal’s World Cup campaign. The 2016 European champions are expected to be among the contenders in North America as they continue their pursuit of a first-ever World Cup title.
Portugal’s preparations for the tournament continue this week, with Martinez aiming to build momentum ahead of what could be his final major competition in charge of the national team.
