Roberto Martinez dismissed talk of leaving Portugal after the World Cup as old news this week, days after DR Congo held his team to a shock 1-1 draw.
Speaking to reporters before the match, Martinez said reports of his departure were nothing new inside the Portuguese camp. “It’s not news. We’ve talked about this many times in Portugal,” he said, adding that his focus remained on the tournament rather than his future.
Portugal took the lead inside six minutes through João Neves before DR Congo equalised deep into first half stoppage time through Yoane Wissa, a result that handed the Central African side their first World Cup point since their last appearance in 1974. The draw added early pressure on Martinez just as questions about his future intensified.
Martinez’s contract with the Portuguese federation expires at the end of July and he is not expected to renew it regardless of how Portugal perform in the tournament. He has been linked with a move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he would reunite with national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo and succeed Jorge Jesus, who left the club after winning the Saudi title.
Portugal’s federation has reportedly shortlisted three candidates to replace him: Jorge Jesus, Abel Ferreira and Sérgio Conceição. Of the three, only Ferreira is currently under contract elsewhere, tied to Brazilian club Palmeiras until the end of 2027. Jose Mourinho had also been under consideration before opting to take over at Real Madrid instead, where the Spanish club officially unveiled him on June 11, days before the World Cup began.
Martinez has coached Portugal in 40 matches since taking over from Fernando Santos in January 2023, winning 28, drawing seven and losing five, and lifting the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League title. He fell short at Euro 2024, and the underwhelming start in Houston has revived scrutiny of his three and a half years in charge even as he downplays its relevance to the team’s World Cup campaign.
Portugal next face Uzbekistan before closing the group stage against Colombia, with Martinez insisting the only story that matters before then is how far his team can go, not who replaces him afterward.
