Bondscoach Martínez quits after Portugal's WK-uitschakeling

Roberto Martínez has been dismissed immediately as Portugal's national team coach, a decision he announced following the team's round‑of‑16 World Cup elimination at the hands of Spain. The move ends his tenure that began in the winter of 2023 and caps a disappointing campaign that saw Portugal exit without a win. Martínez announced the termination shortly after Portugal's WK‑uitschakeling in the round of 16 against Spanje. The announcement came as the nation grappled with the abrupt end to its World Cup hopes. “Ik ben naar Portugal gekomen om het WK te winnen”, Martínez said at the press conference. He added, “Ik denk dat het zonder winst geen zin heeft om door te gaan.”

Roberto Martínez exits Portugal after World Cup exit as successor lined up

Martínez took over as Bondscoach in the winter of 2023. His appointment marked the start of a new era for the Portuguese side. At the EK 2024 his side was eliminated in the kwartfinales by Frankrijk. The defeat added pressure on Martínez ahead of the next major tournament.

Spain coach backs Lamine Yamal ahead of World Cup showdown with Portugal

Expectations were torenhoog for the WK 2026, with Portugal travelling with an ijzersterke ploeg. The squad was billed as one of the strongest in the competition. The campaign produced a gelijkspel tegen de Democratische Republiek Congo and a nederlaag tegen Spanje, leaving the tournament disappointing. Those results underscored the gap between ambition and performance.