Roberto Martinez steps down as Portugal coach after World Cup exit
Roberto Martinez has stepped down as head coach of Portugal following a round-of-16 defeat to Spain. The exit marks the end of a cycle that included a UEFA Nations League title.
Roberto Martinez has confirmed his resignation as the head coach of Portugal following a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup on Monday. The loss, decided by a 91st-minute goal from substitute Mikel Merino at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, ends the tenure of the Spanish manager who took charge of the Selecao in 2023.
The exit concludes a cycle that saw Portugal fail to achieve their primary objective of winning a first world title. In a post-match press conference, Martinez stated that without winning it, there’s no point in continuing
, according to reporting from Yahoo Sports.
Media additions
While his contract was set to expire after the tournament, Martinez clarified that the decision to leave had not been finalized before the World Cup began. He noted that it’s the end of the cycle
and that it’s important to have a new voice, a new leader
, via 101 Great Goals.
Defending the Legacy
Despite the elimination, Martinez disputed claims that the campaign was a failure. He argued that losing a single game to one of the tournament favorites does not constitute failure, asserting, You fail when you don’t try to win, and we tried to win until the last minute
, via Tsn.
The manager’s record with Portugal includes 45 games, which AS reports is the most by any Portugal coach in history. His tenure was highlighted by winning the UEFA Nations League in 2025 after a penalty shootout victory over Spain following a 2-2 draw. However, he was unable to progress past the quarterfinals at Euro 2024, where Portugal was defeated by France.
Martinez reflected on the difficulty of consistency at this level, stating that there aren’t many countries that consistently get to the latter stages of World Cups
, according to TSN.
The End of the Ronaldo Era
The match also served as the final World Cup appearance for 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo. The legendary attacker, who has made 232 appearances and scored 146 goals for Portugal, was emotional as he left the pitch. In the mixed zone, Ronaldo stated he left with a clear conscience
and suggested that Portugal's 2016 European Championship title remains on the same level as a World Cup win, according to The Standard.
Martinez faced scrutiny for leaving Ronaldo on the pitch for the full 90 minutes despite the forward appearing largely peripheral. Martinez defended the decision, stating that Ronaldo was physically capable and provided a necessary presence in the box. He argued that when a team needs a goal, you can’t take Cristiano Ronaldo off
, via TSN.
The manager described Ronaldo as an incredible example of a captain
and a football icon
, via The New York Times.
Tournament Trajectory
The team narrowly advanced to the round of 16 by beating Croatia 2-1 in the round of 32, as reported by The New York Times.
Playmaker Bruno Fernandes expressed sadness over the exit, admitting the team was not at our best level
and repeated mistakes from previous matches, according to The Independent.
Timeline of Roberto Martinez's International Career
- 2016–2022: Managed the Belgium national team; failed to secure a major trophy with the
golden generation
headlined by Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne. - 2023: Appointed head coach of Portugal.
- 2024: Led Portugal to the quarterfinals of the UEFA European Championship.
- June 2025: Won the UEFA Nations League title.
What Happens Next
The Portuguese Football Federation now looks for a replacement. Martinez noted that it is entirely fair
for president Pedro Proenca, who was appointed in 2025, to choose his own manager to lead the national team, via The New York Times.
The new appointment will oversee the start of Portugal's Nations League defense in September, beginning with a match against Wales. Furthermore, the team has already secured automatic qualification for the 2030 World Cup, which Portugal will co-host alongside Spain and Morocco.
While Martinez has not announced his next move, his previous coaching experience includes roles at Wigan, Swansea City, and Everton.
