Rumor: Mourinho is highly likely to become the head coach of Portugal's national team

The Portuguese Football Federation is said to be planning to appoint Jose Mourinho as the national team coach, given that Roberto Martinez's deal will conclude following the 2026 World Cup.

According to sources from ESPN, the Portuguese Football Federation is preparing for the post-2026 World Cup period by contemplating an iconic option: offering the position of national team head coach to Jose Mourinho. This is viewed as a strategic move, especially since Roberto Martinez’s current contract ends on July 31, 2026.

Roberto Martínez took charge of the Portugal national team in 2023 and has generally delivered decent results. Over 36 matches, he led the European Selecao to 27 wins, 3 draws, and 6 losses, with the most notable achievement being the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 championship.

However, the 2026 World Cup is confirmed to be Martínez’s final tournament, regardless of the outcome in North America. The federation’s internal consensus is that the team requires fresh energy for the next cycle.

In this context, Mourinho has emerged as the ideal choice both professionally and symbolically. The “Special One” has never coached a national team, but he has never hidden this ambition. Two years ago, Mourinho stated: “If I receive an offer before the World Cup or the EURO, I would consider it. I don’t want to wait many years just to participate in a major tournament, but if the timing is right, I’m ready to accept.”

Currently, Mourinho is working at Benfica after departing Fenerbahce early in the 2025/26 season. His return to Portuguese football is seen as an important step, helping him reconnect with the domestic environment before pursuing bigger goals at the national team level.

According to ESPN, the Portuguese Football Federation highly values Mourinho’s ability to manage the locker room and his experience in major competitions, especially as the team may enter a post-Cristiano Ronaldo era. A new cycle, less reliant on the aging superstar, requires a coach with enough personality and expertise to restructure the squad.

If this deal materializes, Mourinho is likely to be entrusted with a long-term plan aimed at the 2030 World Cup – a tournament Portugal will co-host alongside Spain and Morocco. This also represents Mourinho’s “lifelong dream”: to coach his national team at a World Cup held on the Iberian Peninsula.

Although everything is still under consideration, Mourinho being prioritized for the Portugal coaching position signals that the federation is ready for a major decision. Should Roberto Martínez conclude his tenure after the 2026 World Cup, the “Special One” could be the name to open a new and ambitious chapter for Portuguese football.