Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus must be presented on Friday as the new coach of the Portugal football team, succeeding Spaniard Roberto Martinez, AFP learned Thursday from a source close to the matter.
The 71-year-old coach and the Portuguese Football Federation have reached “total agreement” and they will hold a press conference on Friday at 3 p.m. at the headquarters of this body, in the suburbs of Lisbon, this source indicated.
Jorge Jesus will take the reins of the Seleçao five days after his elimination in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, against Spain (1-0).
The coach, who left the Saudi club Al-Nassr last May, must sign a four-year contract, until the 2030 World Cup which will be co-organized by Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
He coached Cristiano Ronaldo
An old hand in Portuguese football, Jorge Jesus has managed a dozen clubs in the Iberian country, including Benfica and Sporting, Lisbon’s two great rivals.
Abroad, he notably spent time with the Brazilian club Flamengo, Fenerbahçe in Turkey, then the Saudi clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, where he trained Cristiano Ronaldo.
After Portugal’s elimination on Monday, the 41-year-old five-time Ballon d’Or confirmed that this sixth World Cup had been his last, without however revealing whether he intended to continue his international career.
With the Portugal team, which he has led since 2023, Roberto Martinez won the Nations League in June 2025.
