Jorge Jesus has been appointed as the new head coach of Portugal, following the resignation of Roberto Martínez after the team’s defeat to Spain. The move, widely anticipated in recent days, appears to be finalised although it has not yet been made official. Reports in the Portuguese media suggest the deal is complete, with Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirming it with his trademark “Here we go!” announcement.
Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, was previously reported to have considered José Mourinho for the role a year ago. However, after Martínez guided Portugal to victory in the Nations League, he was retained. With Mourinho now embarking on a second stint at Real Madrid, Proença has turned to Jesus—one of Portugal’s most accomplished managers over the last twenty years.
Known simply as “JJ” in Portuguese football, Jorge Jesus offers a stark contrast to the mild-mannered and diplomatic Martínez. Jesus is outspoken, fiery, and unafraid to challenge or dismiss opinions that differ from his own. His sideline presence is equally animated, often seen gesturing vigorously or admonishing players when they fail to execute his tactical instructions.
Jesus brings with him an impressive record of building winning and entertaining teams. He was instrumental in revitalising Benfica during one of the club’s lowest periods, ending a decade-long league title drought. Under his leadership at the Estádio da Luz, Benfica clinched three league championships, multiple domestic trophies, and reached two European finals.
Another highlight of his managerial career came in Brazil, where he guided Flamengo to five trophies in a single season, including the Copa Libertadores and the domestic championship. That remarkable success opened the door for many other Portuguese managers to take up posts in Brazilian football.
The challenge now lies in whether Jesus’s famously rigorous and detail-oriented coaching style can be effectively adapted to the demands of international football, where training opportunities are limited and sporadic. If he can successfully implement his methods, Portugal fans may witness a more dynamic and attacking approach in major tournaments compared to the pragmatic styles of Fernando Santos and Martínez.
Attention will also turn to how this appointment influences the roles of key Portuguese stars, particularly Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal captain has stated that he will not feature in another World Cup, though he has yet to confirm his availability for future European Championships. Jesus coached Ronaldo at Al Nassr last season, leading the team to its first league title since the forward’s arrival in Saudi Arabia and publicly praising Ronaldo’s pivotal contribution. This relationship could potentially encourage the veteran striker to continue representing his country.
Jesus has previously worked with several other Portuguese internationals. Bruno Fernandes flourished into a world-class midfielder under his guidance at Sporting, while João Félix revived his career at Al Nassr last season, eventually being named Saudi Arabia’s Player of the Year. However, Jesus has also had public disagreements with Bernardo Silva in the past, which might complicate their cooperation in the national setup.
Over his career, Jesus has coached multiple current Portugal squad members, including Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Gonçalo Ramos (Benfica), Gonçalo Guedes (Benfica), and Rafael Leão (Sporting). His deep familiarity with these players could help smooth the transition as he takes charge of the Seleção.
As Portugal embarks on this new era under Jorge Jesus, one thing is certain—the road ahead promises to be anything but dull.
