By Adegboyega Adeleye
Veteran Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Roberto Martínez as Portugal’s head coach following the Spaniard’s departure, according to local reports.
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, a claim also reported by ESPN, the Portuguese Football Federation wants to appoint a new coach before the end of the week, with the 71-year-old Jesus its preferred choice to lead the national team through the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Portugal Football Federation president Pedro Proença did not reveal any names but said the federation was moving quickly to appoint a successor.
“The coach must be someone who knows Portuguese football well and identifies with the winning mindset of the federation and the national team,” Proença said.
“There are several possibilities. I will handle this matter myself. I hope we’ll have concrete news by the end of the week.”
Jesus is currently without a club after leaving Al Nassr FC in May, shortly after guiding the Saudi Pro League side to the league title. During his spell, he worked with Portugal stars Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix.
Although he has never managed a national team, Jesus is one of Portugal’s most successful club coaches. He won 10 major trophies with S.L. Benfica, including three Primeira Liga titles, and also enjoyed trophy-laden spells with Sporting CP, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo and Al Hilal SFC.
The search for a new coach follows the Portuguese federation’s official confirmation on Wednesday that Martinez had left the role after the expiry of his contract.
The former Belgium coach had already announced his departure after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
