ISTANBUL / Ahmed Hassan / Anadolu Agency

The Portuguese Football Federation appointed national coach Jorge Jesus on Friday to lead the senior national team with a four-year contract until 2030, replacing Spaniard Roberto Martinez, who left his post after the team's exit in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

The Portuguese national team's account on the American platform X (formerly Twitter) said: 'A new journey begins today. Welcome to the national team, Mr. Jorge Jesus.'

The veteran coach (71 years old) takes on his new role after a successful professional career that began in 1989 with Amora, and spent the last four years abroad, first with Turkish side Fenerbahce and then with Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he won the league title twice in a row.

He also achieved huge success with Brazilian club Flamengo, leading the team to win the Brazilian league, Copa Libertadores, Recopa Sudamericana, and Brazilian Super Cup between 2019 and 2020.

In Portugal, he emerged as a coach for SC Braga, winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup, which caught the attention of Benfica, leading them from 2009 to 2015 and then from 2020 to 2022, winning three league titles with the club.

He also made a controversial move to Sporting CP in 2015, Benfica's arch-rival, causing a major shake-up in Portuguese football, where he spent three years and won the Super Cup and the League Cup.

Jesus's main objectives will be to defend the UEFA Nations League title won in 2025, and lead Portugal in Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, a tournament to be hosted by Portugal, Spain, and Morocco.

It is worth noting that the Portuguese national team exited the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the Round of 16 after a dramatic 1-0 loss to Spain, with Mikel Merino scoring in the 90+1 minute.