Boss leaves Portugal after exit, Jorge Jesus, ex-Flamengo, in line

In partnership with

Coluna do Fla

·7. Juli 2026

Boss leaves Portugal after exit, Jorge Jesus, ex-Flamengo, in line

Jorge Jesus is without a club after ending his contract with Al-Nassr (SAU)

Spain knocked out the Portugal National Team this Monday (06) in the World Cup round of 16. As a result, coach Roberto Martínez announced his departure from the Portuguese team. The favorite to take over the position is Jorge Jesus, former Flamengo coach.

— It’s certain, it’s my last match with the Portugal national team. I want to thank the Portuguese people; it was an incredible period, a pride I cannot describe. The strength, the energy we received from everyone. It was incredible — said the coach, who added:

OneFootball Videos

— I will carry this memory with me for the rest of my life. I want to thank the players for their incredible work, their commitment to being a team. That starts with attitude and commitment, and we had that — said Martínez.

Where is Jorge Jesus now?

The former Flamengo coach has been a free agent since saying goodbye to Al-Nassr (SAU). Meanwhile, Martínez is being considered to take charge of the Saudi club after the Club World Cup. So, the Portuguese are engaged in a kind of “musical chairs” between club and national team.

How did Martínez do with the Portugal National Team?

The coach took over Cristiano Ronaldo’s team after the 2022 World Cup. In three and a half years, he recorded 30 wins, nine draws, and six losses in 45 matches. Thus, his cycle ends without any titles with the national team.

How has Jorge Jesus done away from Flamengo?

After being part of one of Flamengo’s most successful years in 2019, Jorge Jesus coached Benfica (POR), but truly established himself in Saudi Arabia. That is because the Portuguese manager had two successful spells with Al-Hilal (SAU) and rival Al-Nassr.

So, the Flamengo idol may get his first chance to coach a national team, since negotiations with Brazil fell through in 2023. He will be 75 years old at the 2030 World Cup.

What is the author’s opinion on Jorge Jesus with the Portugal National Team?

Portugal gains a lot with Jorge Jesus. It was a good generation of players in the hands of an ordinary coach. Roberto Martínez’s résumé is tiny compared to what ‘JJ’ has already achieved — said João Vítor Reis of Coluna do Fla. In fact, I believe Brazil would have had a much better World Cup if Jorge Jesus had been there instead of Carlo Ancelotti. It’s a shame the manager’s signing didn’t work out in 2023, as he went on dominating Saudi Arabia — he opined.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.