When a manager’s future becomes the headline instead of the team’s next match, something is shifting. Roberto Martinez, Portugal’s head coach since early 2023, is under contract until 31 July 2026, according to Transfermarkt (football data platform). But multiple reports in mid-2026 suggest he may leave after the World Cup, leaving fans wondering what comes next for both the coach and the national team.

Date of Birth: 13 July 1973 (age 52) ·
Current Role: Head Coach of Portugal national team (since Jan 2023) ·
Contract Until: 31 July 2026 ·
Most Notable Previous Role: Manager of Belgium national team (2016-2022) ·
Major Trophy Won: FA Cup with Wigan Athletic (2013)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • On 16 June 2026, Martinez strongly hinted the World Cup would be his final tournament (ESPN) (Facebook (talkSPORT))
  • Social media posts from June 2026 claim he will step down regardless of outcome (Facebook (talkSPORT))
4What’s next

Eight key facts about Roberto Martinez’s career: one pattern—steady upward mobility interrupted by a single Premier League setback that reshaped his path.

Label Value
Full Name Roberto Martínez Montoliu
Date of Birth 13 July 1973
Place of Birth Balaguer, Spain
Playing Position Midfielder
Managerial Career Start 2007 (Swansea City)
Current Team Portugal (since 2023)
Major Honour FA Cup 2013
Spouse Bethany Martinez

Is Roberto Martinez leaving Portugal?

What has been reported about a Portugal exit?

  • On 16 June 2026, ESPN reported that Martinez “strongly hinted” the World Cup would be his final tournament as Portugal head coach (ESPN).
  • Yahoo Sports carried similar claims that Martinez will leave Portugal after the 2026 World Cup (Yahoo Sports).
  • The Mirror reported that the Portuguese FA refused to address claims that Martinez would step down (The Mirror).
Bottom line: Multiple outlets point to a post-World Cup exit, but the federation has not confirmed. The pattern suggests an orchestrated handover rather than a resignation.

What does Roberto Martinez’s contract say?

  • According to Transfermarkt, Martinez’s contract with Portugal expires on 31 July 2026.
  • The Athletic noted that he reached a verbal agreement with the federation in early 2023 (The Athletic).

The implication: His contract naturally ends just after the 2026 World Cup final, making an exit at tournament’s end both contractually tidy and strategically clean for all parties.

What trophies has Roberto Martinez won?

FA Cup win with Wigan Athletic

  • Martinez led Wigan Athletic to an FA Cup victory in 2013, beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final (The Athletic).
  • That remains his only major domestic trophy as a manager.

Belgium national team third place at 2018 World Cup

  • Under Martinez, Belgium finished third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia (The Athletic).
  • He has not won a major international trophy as a manager.
The trade-off

Martinez’s trophy cabinet is thin for a coach managing elite nations. One FA Cup and a bronze medal—not the silverware Portugal fans expect from a squad featuring talents like Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leão.

The implication: Martinez must deliver a strong World Cup performance to silence critics about his trophy record.

Why did Everton sack Roberto Martinez?

What were Roberto Martinez’s results at Everton?

  • Martinez managed Everton from 2013 to 2016 (The Athletic).
  • He was sacked after finishing 11th in the Premier League in 2015-16.

What led to his dismissal in 2016?

  • Fan discontent grew due to defensive frailties and a 4-0 loss to Liverpool (The Athletic).
  • His win rate dropped to 36% in his final season.

The pattern: Martinez’s attacking style was praised but his defensive setup never matched the Premier League’s physical demands. That same critique followed him to Belgium, where defensive lapses cost them in Euro 2020 and 2022.

Where is Roberto Martinez’s wife from?

What is known about Roberto Martinez’s family?

  • Roberto Martinez is married to Bethany Martinez (The Athletic).
  • Bethany is from Scotland.
  • The couple have two daughters.
Why this matters

Bethany’s Scottish roots tie Martinez to British football culture, which may influence his next job if he leaves Portugal—whether a club role in England or a return to the UK.

That personal connection could make a Premier League return a realistic possibility.

What is Roberto Martinez doing now?

Current role as Portugal national team manager

  • As of 2025, Martinez is the head coach of the Portugal national team, appointed in January 2023 (The Athletic).
  • He is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

Recent results and upcoming fixtures

  • Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup under Martinez (Transfermarkt).
  • Upcoming match: Portugal vs Congo DR in the group stage.

The catch: Even as he leads the team into the tournament, the speculation about his departure creates an awkward parallel narrative—one that Martinez himself has only partly addressed.

Roberto Martinez managerial career timeline

Six key dates that trace Martinez’s rise from lower-league management to Portugal’s top job.

Date or period Event
2007-2009 Manager of Swansea City
2009-2013 Manager of Wigan Athletic; won FA Cup in 2013
2013-2016 Manager of Everton; sacked in 2016
2016-2022 Head coach of Belgium national team; third place at 2018 World Cup
January 2023 Appointed head coach of Portugal national team
2026 (future) Contract ends 31 July 2026; reported exit after World Cup

Confirmed facts

  • Roberto Martinez is Portugal head coach as of 2025 (The Athletic)
  • He is under contract until July 2026 (Transfermarkt)
  • He won the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic in 2013 (The Athletic)

What’s unclear / Rumored

  • Whether he will leave Portugal before the 2026 World Cup (reportedly hinted but not official) (ESPN)
  • His next role if he leaves after 2026 (Mourinho rumored) (Fox Sports)
  • Exact timing of the exit (social media speculation, no federation confirmation) (Facebook (talkSPORT))

“I am committed to the Portugal project. My focus is on the World Cup.”

— Roberto Martinez, press conference ahead of 2026 World Cup (YouTube (press coverage))

“We have not received any formal communication from Roberto about leaving.”

— Portuguese Football Federation spokesperson (via The Mirror (UK tabloid))

“Everton became too predictable under Martinez. Teams knew how to exploit us.”

— Former Everton player (anonymous, cited in The Athletic)

For the Portuguese Football Federation, the decision is straightforward: either secure Martinez’s extension with a convincing World Cup performance, or activate the succession plan built around José Mourinho. For Martinez himself, a strong tournament could reopen club doors in England—where his reputation still needs repairing—or solidify his legacy with Portugal. The implication for fans: expect clarity within weeks after the final whistle, not before. Read about another football figure: Jamie Redknapp.

Additional sources

youtube.com, facebook.com, facebook.com, facebook.com, ozmonitorly.com

Frequently asked questions

Is Roberto Martinez married?

Yes, he is married to Bethany Martinez (The Athletic).

How many children does Roberto Martinez have?

He has two daughters (The Athletic).

What is Roberto Martinez’s net worth?

Exact net worth is not publicly verified, but estimates range from £5–10 million based on his managerial contracts (no official source).

Did Roberto Martinez play in the Premier League?

No, he played primarily in Spain’s lower divisions and briefly in Scotland for Motherwell (Transfermarkt).

What nationality is Roberto Martinez?

He is Spanish (The Athletic).

How long is Roberto Martinez’s contract with Portugal?

Until 31 July 2026 (Transfermarkt).

Has Roberto Martinez won the World Cup?

No, his best World Cup result is third place with Belgium in 2018 (The Athletic).

For more biographical content, see Trent Alexander-Arnold: Biography, Stats & Myths.