​Former Benfica boss Jorge Jesus is poised to take the helm of Portugal’s national team following the team’s disappointing World Cup exit. The 71-year-old agreed terms with the Portuguese Football Federation during a Thursday meeting in Lisbon, according to several Portuguese media outlets. Jesus most recently guided Al-Nassr, the club that stars Cristiano Ronaldo, to the Saudi Pro League title, underscoring his continued impact at the highest levels of football.
It remains to be seen whether Jesus will extend his managerial career with the national team beyond the current stint, particularly after Portugal were eliminated in the round of 16 with a 1-0 loss to Spain. He steps into the role succeeding Roberto Martínez, who resigned after Portugal’s exit from the tournament. Martínez had served as Portugal’s manager for three and a half years and oversaw the team to victory in the 2025 Nations League.
The Portuguese Football Federation is expected to make an official announcement presenting Jesus as the new head coach on Friday, according to circulating reports. Jesus, a native of the Lisbon suburb of Amadora, has already inked a contract that extends through 2030. Assuming no unforeseen developments, he is slated to manage the Seleção at the 2030 World Cup, which Portugal will co-host with Spain and Morocco, alongside the tournament’s other hosts—Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
Jesus ranks among the most accomplished Portuguese managers of recent decades. His track record includes a string of major victories with Benfica, where he captured three league titles and cemented his reputation as one of Portugal’s premier coaching talents. In addition to his domestic success, Jesus achieved notable triumphs with Sporting CP, including the 2018 Portuguese League Cup, highlighting his ability to win silverware with more than one of the country’s top clubs. His return to the national team setup is being framed as a bid to restore Portugal’s status as a global football powerhouse, leveraging his experience, tactical acumen, and proven track record in domestic and international competitions. As the federation prepares the formal announcement, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Jesus incorporates his philosophy and style into a national squad eager to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite.