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The Portuguese coach from the Saudi League to his first international experience
The Portuguese Football Federation has announced the appointment of Jorge Jesus as first team coach, replacing Spain’s Roberto Martinez, who stepped down following Portugal’s defeat to Spain in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
The official page of the Portuguese national team published a picture of Jesus on the “X” platform and wrote: “A new journey begins today.”
A new path begins today. Welcome to the National Team, Mr. Jorge Jesus. 🇵🇹 #WeViemosParaVencer pic.twitter.com/B9Re2bCuAa
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 10, 2026
The Portuguese federation will be hoping that Jesus will bring the national team back into contention for major titles, after he bid an early farewell to the current World Cup with a performance that did not go down well with Portugal’s fans and the media.
Portugal have not reached the semi-finals of the World Cup since 2006, while their most notable achievements in recent years have been winning the European Cup of Nations in 2016 and then winning the Europa League title in 2019 and 2025.
Jesus begins his mission as the Portugal team prepares for a new era after Cristiano Ronaldo, 146 goals in 233 games, announced he would not take part in another World Cup.
After Jesus left Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nasr at the end of last season, the old Portuguese coach reunited with Ronaldo, but this time on an international level, as the national team captain has yet to set a retirement date.
First international trial after a long career with clubs
The 71-year-old Portuguese coach is entering a new phase in his coaching career, which has spanned more than three decades, after amassing extensive experience with a number of the biggest clubs in Portugal, Europe and South America, in addition to the Saudi Rossen Professional League.
Jesus has a distinguished coaching record spanning 36 years, having managed Benfica in two separate spells, as well as being in charge of Sporting Lisbon, Brazilian side Flamengo and Turkish side Fenerbahce.
The last three seasons saw him in the Saudi League where he coached Al-Hilal before moving to Al-Nasr in the summer of 2025.
However, Jesus is training at the international level for the first time.
During his career, Jesus won 25 titles, including 3 Portuguese League titles with Benfica, the Brazilian League title with Flamengo, in addition to winning the Saudi League title with Al Hilal and then Al Nasr.
Jorge Jesus has previously been linked with the Brazil national team lead, with reports in March 2025 that he was one of the leading candidates for the job alongside Italian Carlo Ancelotti, who later took over the job after leaving Real Madrid in May of that year.
Jesus retired from Al-Nasr at the end of the 2025-26 season after leading the team to their first Saudi League title in seven years, before Australian Angie Postecoglou took over as his successor.
