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

Portugal suffered a disappointing exit from the 2026 World Cup after a 1-0 loss to Spain in the round of 16, despite fielding one of its most talented squads ever. The tournament also marked Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup appearance, raising questions about his future with the national team. In response, Portugal has appointed Jorge Jesus as the new head coach, replacing Roberto Martinez, whose tenure ended amid criticism over poor performances at the World Cup and Euro 2024.

Jorge Jesus, 71, will be officially introduced on Friday and is set to lead Portugal in the upcoming Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, which Portugal will co-host with Spain and Morocco. Jesus arrives following 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 appointment signals a commitment to keeping Ronaldo in the national team setup, as Jesus has openly expressed his intention to support Ronaldo's quest for further titles.

Local media highlighted that Jesus does not plan to part ways with Ronaldo, contrasting with the tactical limitations seen under Martinez, where Ronaldo's presence reportedly constrained the team's play. Jesus previously stated that his challenge at Al Nassr was to help Ronaldo win titles, emphasizing their strong working relationship. Former goalkeeper Joaquim de Silva expressed confidence in Jesus's ability to restore faith in the Portuguese team, noting a lack of public belief during the recent World Cup.

With Jesus at the helm, Portugal aims to rebuild and perform strongly in future international tournaments, relying on Ronaldo's continued influence and the coach's proven leadership.