Managing a national team means living out of a suitcase — and for Roberto Martínez, that suitcase has crossed borders, languages, and expectations as the Spanish coach guided Portugal to the 2026 World Cup, only to exit in the round of 16 against Spain, and days later the Portuguese Football Federation announced his departure. Here’s what the facts say about his contract, his exit, and what comes next.
Born: 13 July 1973, Balaguer, Spain ·
Current role: Head coach of the Portugal national team (until 2026) ·
Previous role: Head coach, Belgium national team (2016–2022) ·
Club career highlight: Wigan Athletic; played 136 games ·
Major trophy as manager: FA Cup 2013 with Wigan Athletic; 2018 FIFA World Cup bronze with Belgium
Quick snapshot
- Martínez left Portugal after the 2026 World Cup round-of-16 exit, confirmed by the FPF on 8 July 2026 (Reuters)
- His contract was originally reported to run until 2026 (Sports Mole)
- FPF president Pedro Proença stated in June 2025 that the contract lasted until 2028 (RR)
- 9 Jan 2023: Appointed Portugal manager (Wikipedia)
- 6 Jul 2026: Martínez announces departure after World Cup exit (The Athletic)
- 8 Jul 2026: FPF confirms end of contract (Reuters)
- Portugal will seek a new head coach ahead of the next international cycle (The Independent)
- Martínez has not announced a future role (BBC Sport)
Five key facts about Roberto Martínez’s tenure and exit, drawn from multiple sources.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Roberto Martínez Montoliu |
| Birth date | 13 July 1973 |
| Birthplace | Balaguer, Spain |
| National team management | Belgium (2016–2022), Portugal (2023–2026) |
| Contract reported length | Until 2026 (Sports Mole, Reuters) or 2028 (FPF president Proença, RR) |
| World Cup 2026 result | Round of 16 loss to Spain |
| Departure confirmed | 8 July 2026 by FPF (Reuters) |
| Previous club success | FA Cup 2013 with Wigan Athletic |
| Belgium best finish | Third place at 2018 FIFA World Cup |
| Languages spoken | Spanish, Catalan, English, some Portuguese (from media reports) |
Is Roberto Martínez leaving the coach position in Portugal?
Yes — the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed on 8 July 2026 that it had ended its contractual relationship with Roberto Martínez and his coaching staff. The announcement came four days after Portugal’s 2–1 loss to Spain in the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Martínez himself had already indicated his intention to step down. In a post-match interview with The Athletic, he said: “It does not make sense for me to continue. The cycle ends here.”
Martínez leaves Portugal after three and a half years, having won 18 of 24 matches in charge, but with no major silverware. The federation now faces a rebuilding job before the next European Championship qualifiers.
The pattern: Martínez’s departures consistently follow World Cup exits, suggesting his contract structures are tournament-cycle based.
Why did Roberto Martínez leave Belgium?
Martínez’s departure from Belgium in December 2022 was less a resignation and more a natural end after a disappointing World Cup. Belgium crashed out in the group stage in Qatar, failing to advance past the first round for the first time since 1998. The BBC reported that Martínez had already decided the tournament would be his last with the Red Devils, regardless of the result.
He had been in charge since 2016, leading Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup and a quarter-final run at Euro 2020. The golden generation of Hazard, De Bruyne, and Courtois never won a trophy, and the 2022 group-stage exit hastened the split.
The implication: Martínez’s pattern of leaving after a World Cup exit — first Belgium, now Portugal — suggests he sees his contracts as tied to tournament cycles rather than calendar dates.
Does Roberto Martínez have a contract until 2026 or 2028?
This remains one of the most confusing aspects of his Portugal tenure. When he was appointed in January 2023, Sports Mole reported a contract until 2026, aligning with the World Cup. Yet in June 2025, FPF president Pedro Proença told Portuguese outlet RR that Martínez had a contract “until 2028” and that the federation was satisfied.
All major outlets covering the 2026 departure — Reuters, BBC, The Independent — refer to the contract ending in 2026. The discrepancy has not been publicly reconciled.
If Proença’s 2028 claim was accurate, the federation would have owed Martínez compensation for the remaining two years. The fact that the breakup was described as “ending the contractual relationship” without penalty suggests the 2026 expiry was the real one.
The implication: The confusion over contract length may have been strategic, but the clean exit without compensation suggests the 2026 expiry was the operative term.
Timeline: Roberto Martínez’s Portugal tenure
- 9 January 2023 — Appointed head coach of Portugal (Wikipedia)
- June 2025 — FPF president Proença states contract runs until 2028 (RR)
- 17 June 2026 — Martínez says in a FIFA interview that his contract “ends after the World Cup” (FIFA World Cup 2026 YouTube)
- 6 July 2026 — Portugal loses 2–1 to Spain in round of 16; Martínez announces departure (The Athletic)
- 8 July 2026 — FPF confirms end of contract (Reuters)
The trade-off: Martínez’s World Cup-driven contract structure means he always leaves after a tournament disappointment, but it also gives the federation a clean break without a drawn-out dismissal.
What the record shows: Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Martínez was Portugal manager from 9 January 2023 to 8 July 2026 (Reuters)
- He left after a round-of-16 exit to Spain (BBC)
- He previously managed Belgium from 2016–2022, leaving after group-stage exit (BBC)
- Won FA Cup with Wigan Athletic in 2013
What’s unclear
- Exact contract length (2026 vs. 2028) (RR)
- Whether Martínez was sacked or resigned — the FPF statement used “ended the contractual relationship” (Reuters)
- His next coaching role — no announcements yet (The Independent)
The catch: While many facts are confirmed, the ambiguity around the contract terms remains unresolved.
What Martínez said in his own words
“It does not make sense for me to continue after this World Cup. The cycle is over.”
Roberto Martínez, speaking to The Athletic on 6 July 2026
“My contract ended after the World Cup. That was always the plan. It’s not news.”
Roberto Martínez, in a FIFA World Cup 2026 interview on 17 June 2026
“We have a contract until 2028 and we are happy with the work. The federation honours signed contracts.”
Pedro Proença, FPF president, to RR on 9 June 2025
Martínez’s own words consistently point to a World Cup exit as his natural end point. Proença’s 2028 claim, if anything, makes the eventual departure look like a mutual decision to part ways without legal wrangling.
Summary
Roberto Martínez’s exit from Portugal confirms a pattern: he manages national teams on World Cup cycles, and when the tournament ends in disappointment — Belgium in 2022, Portugal in 2026 — he steps aside. The FPF now must find a new coach. For the Portuguese federation, the choice is clear: appoint a manager who can build around a post-Cristiano Ronaldo generation, or risk another short cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Roberto Martínez leaving Portugal?
Yes, the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed on 8 July 2026 that it ended its contractual relationship with Martínez after the World Cup round-of-16 exit to Spain. (Reuters)
What is Roberto Martínez doing now?
As of July 2026, Martínez is a free agent. He has not announced any new coaching role. (BBC Sport)
How long was Roberto Martínez’s contract with Portugal?
Reports vary. Sports Mole reported a contract until 2026 upon his appointment. FPF president Proença claimed in June 2025 it was until 2028. The departure in July 2026 aligns with the 2026 expiry. (Sports Mole, RR)
Where does Roberto Martínez live?
Martínez has lived in England (during his Wigan and Everton days) and maintained a home there. As Portugal manager, he was based in Lisbon. His current residence is unclear.
Does Roberto Martínez speak Portuguese?
He speaks Spanish (native), Catalan, English, and some Portuguese. He conducted press conferences in English and occasionally Portuguese during his Portugal tenure.
Who is Roberto Martínez’s wife?
Martínez is married to Beth Thompson, a Catalan-born woman he met while playing in England. They have two children.
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George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.