Portugal confirm departure of coach Martinez

Roberto Martinez managed Belgium between 2016 and 2022, following club stints in charge of Swansea, Wigan and Everton [Getty Images] The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has confirmed the departure of national team coach Roberto Martinez following Portugal's last-16 loss to Spain . Martinez had already announced that he would be leaving the role he had held since January 2023 . Portugal finished second in their World Cup group, drawing with Colombia and DR Congo and beating Uzbekistan 5-0, and defeated Croatia in the last-32 before Monday's tournament exit. "The Portuguese Football Federation announces that it officially ended its contractual relationship with the national team coach, Roberto Martinez, and his coaching staff this Wednesday," the FPF said in their statement. Martinez, 52, led Portugal to the UEFA Nations League title in 2025, but his side departed Euro 2024 at the quarter-final stage with a penalties defeat to France. His decision to consistently start Cristiano Ronaldo has come under considerable scrutiny in the past two global tournaments, with BBC pundit Chris Sutton saying the Spaniard was "pandering" to the 41-year-old forward. Speaking after the 1-0 loss to Spain, Martinez said: "I came to Portugal with the objective of winning the World Cup and because I haven't won it wouldn't make sense to continue. My contract ends today." The FPF stated that it had already begun the search for a successor "with the aim of continuing to promote the ambition and winning culture" within the national team set-up. Ronaldo's World Cup career ends in tears as 'pandering' Martinez departs World Cup 2026 knockout path How to watch the World Cup on the BBC and ITV Everything you need to know about the World Cup