Jorge Jesus has emerged as the primary candidate to take charge of the Portuguese national football team following the country's early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 70-year-old manager is the frontrunner for the position after Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat against Spain in the Round of 16, which led to the dismissal of Roberto Martínez.
Martínez's Tenure Ends After Disappointing World Cup
Roberto Martínez, the former Belgium and Everton manager who took over Portugal in 2022, oversaw a successful qualification campaign for the World Cup but could not deliver the deep tournament run the nation had anticipated. The defeat to Spain brought an abrupt end to his tenure, intensifying pressure on the Portuguese Football Federation to chart a new course ahead of the next international cycle.
Portugal entered the 2026 World Cup among the favourites to challenge for the title, with a squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and a generation of talented players. However, their failure to advance beyond the last 16 prompted swift action from the federation to fill the managerial vacancy.
Jesus's Impressive Coaching Resume
Jorge Jesus built his reputation at Benfica, where he won multiple Primeira Liga titles, before taking charge of Brazilian giants Flamengo and guiding them to the Copa Libertadores in 2019. His most recent assignments have been in Saudi Arabia, where he enjoyed remarkable success.
According to ESPN, an official announcement confirming Jesus as Portugal's new manager is expected imminently, with the federation moving quickly to secure his appointment. Should Jesus be confirmed, he would become the first Portuguese-born manager to lead the national side in several years, a point likely to resonate with supporters who have long called for a homegrown appointment at the helm.
Jesus's Record in Saudi Arabia
Jorge Jesus enjoyed one of the most successful coaching spells in the history of the Saudi Pro League before leaving the country in 2026. During his second stint with Al Hilal between 2023 and 2025, Jesus guided the Riyadh giants to the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League title, completing an unbeaten league campaign with a record 96 points. He left Al Hilal as the club's most successful coach by wins, recording 81 victories in just 96 matches during his second spell in charge.
The experienced tactician later took over at Al Nassr ahead of the 2025/26 season and immediately transformed the club into title contenders. Under his guidance, Al Nassr won the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League title, ending the club's wait for the domestic crown and helping captain Cristiano Ronaldo lift his first Saudi league trophy. Ronaldo flourished under Jesus, finishing the campaign as one of the league's leading scorers while playing a key role in Al Nassr's title-winning run.
Implications for Portugal's Future
Jesus's appointment would mark a significant shift for the Portuguese national team, bringing in a tactician with extensive experience at both club and international levels. His familiarity with Ronaldo, having coached him at Al Nassr, could prove beneficial as Portugal looks to build a competitive squad for the next World Cup cycle. The federation's swift action to secure Jesus underscores their determination to restore the team's status among football's elite.
