Roberto Martinez’s three-year tenure as Portugal’s national team coach came to an end with the team’s World Cup exit in the round of 16. On Friday, the federation announced his successor: Jorge Jesus will take over the position.
Portugal’s World Cup exit—a 0-1 loss to Spain in the Round of 16—was a disappointment, but it wasn’t the deciding factor in Roberto Martinez’s departure as national team coach. It was already clear before the tournament that the Spaniard would step down after the World Cup. Now this has happened sooner than those in charge had hoped. However, they quickly found a successor: Jorge Jesus will take over the Portuguese national team.
“We’re here to win,” were Jesus’s first words following his announcement as the new national team coach. “I’m very proud to be Portuguese, and it’s an honor for me to take on the role of national team coach,” Jesus wrote on Instagram. It is currently unknown who will serve as his assistant coach. One possibility, however, points to former Real Madrid defender Pepe.
Jesus, 71, most recently served as a coach in Saudi Arabia. He led Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo’s club, to the league title. This casts the question of Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with the national team in a different light. Following the successful season in the Saudi Pro League, Jesus might also rely on the global superstar for the national team, even though he didn’t exactly shine at the World Cup.