World Cup manager set to leave job right after the tournament, with talks of Premier League interest
Roberto Martinez is expected to step down as Portugal’s manager after the World Cup, no matter how well the team performs in the tournament. His contract runs until the end of July, and he’s reportedly decided not to renew it. Martinez has been leading Portugal for three years, and talkSPORT says he’s already made up his mind as he looks toward a possible return to club management.
He’s keeping his options open and hasn’t ruled out going back to the Premier League. There are also talks linking him to several jobs across Europe, and he might even take on another international coaching role.
As a former Wigan Athletic and Everton boss, Martinez has had decent success with Portugal and holds the highest win percentage of any permanent manager in their history. Even though they were knocked out of Euro 2024 in the quarter-finals by France on penalties, they bounced back by beating Spain in the Nations League final last summer.
Martinez will hope to add another trophy during his last few months with the team, as Portugal aims to win the World Cup for the first time ever. The 52-year-old has managed at two World Cups before, with mixed results—finishing third with Belgium in 2018 but facing a surprise early exit in 2022.
Portugal has a star-studded squad and is one of the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. They start their campaign by facing DR Congo on Wednesday night, followed by matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.
Before the tournament, Martinez shared the positive vibe around the team: “I wouldn’t say there’s anxiety in Portugal to win the World Cup. It’s more excitement and hope because of the players we have.
“We’re talking about Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, Porto’s Diogo Costa, and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva. These important players for European champions Paris Saint-Germain give the Portuguese fans confidence.
“We know we’ve never won the World Cup, so we know it’s tough. Talent alone isn’t enough, and small details can make a big difference. It hurts when things don’t go our way, but let us dream.
“I believe we can do it, and that’s the spirit I want from our team.”