The 71-year-old veteran manager, who recently left Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr after winning the league title with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, has accepted the role and will lead the team through the Nations League, Euro 2028, and the next World Cup cycle.
Martínez, who took charge of Portugal for the World Cup campaign, announced he would be leaving at the end of his contract. His departure clears the way for Jesus, one of Portugal’s most decorated club managers, to take over the national team for the first time in his career.
Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the development on social media, writing: “Jorge Jesus to become new Portugal head coach, here we go! He’s accepted to take over after Roberto Martínez.
Jorge Jesus will lead the project for Nations League, Euro 2028 and next World Cup. He’s won Saudi Pro League title at Al Nassr this season with Cristiano.”
Jesus, who has previously managed Benfica, Sporting CP, and Flamengo, brings decades of experience to the role. His success at Al Nassr, where he guided Ronaldo and the Riyadh-based club to the Saudi Pro League title, is understood to have strengthened his candidacy for the national team job.
The appointment marks a significant shift for the Portuguese Football Federation, which has opted for an experienced domestic figure over foreign candidates.
Jesus will now be tasked with building on Portugal’s strong World Cup showing and preparing the squad for Euro 2028, which will be co-hosted by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Portugal, who exited the World Cup at the last-16 stage, will look to Jesus to revitalize the squad and integrate younger talents alongside veteran leaders like Ronaldo.
The 39-year-old captain, who has played under Jesus at Al Nassr, is expected to remain a central figure in the national team setup.
Jesus is expected to be officially unveiled in the coming days, with his first matches in charge set for the Nations League campaign later this year.
The Portuguese Federation has not yet confirmed the length of his contract, but sources indicate he has been given a long-term mandate through to the 2030 World Cup cycle.
