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Roberto Martínez has stepped down as head coach of the Portuguese national team following the side’s disappointing round-of-16 elimination at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement comes hours after Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to rivals Spain, with Mikel Merino scoring a late winner that ended the team’s campaign.
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Martínez’s contract was set to expire at the end of July, and sources indicated he had already chosen not to renew it. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed the mutual decision to part ways.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez departs after brutal World Cup exit vs Spain
The Spanish-born coach took charge of Portugal in 2023 after a successful spell with Belgium. During his tenure, he guided the team to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 and secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup. However, he failed to deliver a deep run in the tournament many expected from a squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and several top European talents.
The FPF is expected to begin the search for a new head coach immediately, with several high-profile names already being linked to the vacancy. Martínez leaves with a respectable record but will be remembered for failing to translate Portugal’s star power into silverware on the international stage.
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