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

In partnership with

Coluna do Fla

·7 July 2026

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

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

Spain knocked the Portuguese National Team out this Monday (06) in the Round of 16 of the World Cup. Then, coach Roberto Martínez announced his departure from the Portuguese side. The favorite to take over the job is Jorge Jesus, former Flamengo manager.

— 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 had from everyone. It was incredible — said the coach, who added:

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— I will carry a memory for life with me. 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?

The former Flamengo boss has been available on the market since saying goodbye to Al-Nassr (SAU). On the other hand, Martínez is being tipped to take charge of the Saudi club after the Club World Cup. So, the Portuguese are engaged in a kind of “game of musical chairs” between club and national team.

How did Martínez do with the Portugal National Team?

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

How has Jorge Jesus done outside 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 at Al-Hilal (SAU) and rivals Al-Nassr.

So, the Flamengo idol may get his first chance to work with a national team, since negotiations with Brazil fell through in 2023. The coach 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’s national team would gain 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 deal to hire the mister did not work out in 2023, and 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.