Portugal consider Jorge Jesus as a candidate to replace Roberto Martínez after the World Cup exit, with Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup ahead.
Jorge Jesus considered as option to replace Roberto Martínez as Portugal coach
Jorge Jesus is one of the names being considered by the Portuguese Football Federation to succeed Roberto Martínez as head coach of the Portugal national team. The possibility has gained strength after the end of the Spanish coach cycle, which was confirmed following the elimination of Portugal from the 2026 World Cup.
The defeat against Spain in the last 16 marked the closing of a chapter for the national team. After the match, Roberto Martínez confirmed that he would leave the position, bringing an end to a period that had already been expected to finish after the tournament, regardless of the final result.
With the position now open, the Portuguese Football Federation is preparing the start of a new cycle. Jorge Jesus, free since the end of his spell at Al Nassr, is seen as a profile that fits several of the criteria being evaluated at the Cidade do Futebol.
A new cycle after the World Cup exit
The elimination of Portugal against Spain created the final moment of the Roberto Martínez era. The result in the last 16 was disappointing for a squad with major talent and ambition, but the departure of the coach was not treated as a purely emotional decision after one match.
The Federation had already been preparing for the possibility of change. The end of the World Cup campaign has now accelerated the process and forced Portuguese football to look ahead to the next major objectives.
The next coach will inherit a team with quality, experience and several players competing at the highest level of European football. However, the challenge will be to turn that individual talent into a more convincing collective identity.
Portugal have enough quality to compete with the strongest teams in Europe, but the next cycle will require clear decisions, strong leadership and a tactical direction capable of giving the group stability.
Why Jorge Jesus is under consideration
Jorge Jesus is a name with weight in Portuguese football. At 71, he has decades of coaching experience, a strong tactical identity and deep knowledge of both Portuguese and international football.
That combination makes him an interesting option for the Federation. The national team job is different from club management, but it still demands authority, experience and the ability to manage high-profile players in a demanding environment.
Jesus has worked in intense football contexts throughout his career. He is used to pressure, public scrutiny and dressing rooms with strong personalities. Those factors matter when choosing a national team coach, especially for a squad that contains players from major European clubs.
His knowledge of Portuguese football also counts in his favour. He understands the domestic game, knows the mentality around the national team and has worked with many players shaped by Portuguese football culture.
Availability could help the process
One important factor is that Jorge Jesus is currently free after leaving Al Nassr. That makes the process more straightforward from a contractual point of view, because the Federation would not need to negotiate with another club.
For Portugal, timing is important. The new coach will need to begin work quickly, evaluate the squad, define priorities and prepare the team for the qualification path toward Euro 2028.
A coach who is immediately available can offer the Federation more flexibility. It allows discussions to move faster and gives the next technical team more time to begin planning.
Still, the decision will not be based only on availability. The Federation must decide whether Jorge Jesus is the right fit for the current stage of the national team and for the type of football Portugal want to play in the coming years.
A coach with a strong personality
Jorge Jesus has always been known as a coach with a very strong personality. His teams usually show clear tactical ideas, intensity and a demanding approach to training and competition.
That type of profile can be attractive after a disappointing tournament exit. Portugal may look for a coach capable of bringing more authority, more energy and a stronger competitive edge to the group.
At the same time, the national team role requires a different rhythm. Coaches do not have daily work with players throughout the season, and tactical ideas need to be transmitted in shorter periods.
This is one of the questions the Federation will have to evaluate carefully. Jorge Jesus has a clear football model, but international football often requires adaptation, pragmatism and fast decision-making with limited preparation time.
Euro 2028 as the first major target
The first major objective of the next cycle will be Euro 2028. Portugal will need to qualify and then arrive at the tournament with a team capable of fighting for the title.
This means the next appointment is not just about reacting to the World Cup elimination. It is about building a project with a clear direction for the next 2 major tournaments.
The new coach will need to decide which players remain central to the team, which younger players deserve more space and what tactical structure best suits the squad.
Portugal have attacking quality, midfield options and defensive experience, but major tournaments are often decided by balance. The next coach must find a formula that protects the team without reducing its attacking threat.
The 2030 World Cup increases the importance of the decision
Beyond Euro 2028, the 2030 World Cup will be a major reference point for Portuguese football. Portugal will organise the tournament together with Spain and Morocco, which gives the competition special importance.
Because of that, the next cycle carries extra responsibility. The Federation is not only choosing a coach for the next qualification campaign, but also defining the direction of the team before a World Cup with historic meaning for the country.
Hosting a World Cup creates expectation. Portugal will want to arrive at 2030 with a strong, stable and competitive national team. The decision made now could influence how the team develops toward that tournament.
If Jorge Jesus is chosen, he would take on one of the biggest missions of his career. Leading Portugal into a cycle that includes Euro 2028 and a home World Cup path would be a challenge with enormous visibility.
A decision expected in the coming weeks
The Portuguese Football Federation is expected to make a final decision in the coming weeks. The process will involve analysing experience, leadership style, tactical fit and the long-term needs of the national team.
Jorge Jesus is one of the names on the table, but the Federation will need to weigh every factor before making a final move. This is a decision that can shape several years of Portuguese football.
The next coach will arrive with pressure from the first day. Portugal have a squad capable of more than a last-16 exit, and public expectation will remain high after the disappointment of the World Cup.
That is why the appointment must be clear and convincing. The Federation needs a coach who can give direction to the team, restore confidence and prepare Portugal for the demands of the next major competitions.
Portugal look ahead
The Roberto Martínez era is over, and Portugal are now preparing for a new chapter. Jorge Jesus has emerged as a serious option because of his experience, his knowledge of Portuguese football and his availability after leaving Al Nassr.
For the Federation, the coming weeks will be decisive. The choice of the next coach will show what kind of project Portugal want to build after the World Cup disappointment.
Euro 2028 is already on the horizon, and the 2030 World Cup gives the next cycle even greater meaning. Portugal need a coach capable of managing expectation, improving performance and making the most of a talented generation.
Jorge Jesus is part of that discussion. Whether he becomes the chosen figure or not, the national team is entering a crucial moment, and the next decision from the Portuguese Football Federation will set the tone for the years ahead.
