Portugal Appoints Jorge Jesus as New Coach, Plans to Retain Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal suffered a disappointing exit at the 2026 World Cup, losing 1-0 to Spain in the round of 16 despite fielding one of its most talented squads ever. The tournament marked Cristiano Ronaldo's final major international appearance, but questions remain about his future with the national team. In response to the underwhelming performances, Portugal has appointed Jorge Jesus as the new head coach, replacing Roberto Martinez, whose tenure ended amid criticism despite winning the UEFA Nations League.

Jorge Jesus, 71, will be officially introduced on Friday and is set to lead Portugal at the upcoming Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, which Portugal will co-host with Spain and Morocco. Jesus arrives after a successful season with Saudi club Al Nassr, where he won the league title with a squad that included João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo. His relationship with Ronaldo is well-known, and he has expressed a clear intention not to part ways with the star forward.

In a local opinion piece, it was noted that Jesus does not plan to exclude Ronaldo from the team, contrasting with the tactical limitations seen under Martinez, where Ronaldo's presence sometimes constrained the team's play. Jesus previously stated that his goal in Saudi Arabia was to help Ronaldo win titles, emphasizing their close working relationship. Former goalkeeper Joaquim de Silva expressed confidence in Jesus's ability to restore faith in the Portuguese team, which had waned during the recent World Cup.

The appointment signals a new chapter for Portugal as they prepare for major upcoming tournaments, with hopes that Jesus's leadership and his rapport with Ronaldo will revitalize the national squad's performance and public support.