Roberto Martínez has confirmed his resignation as Portugal coach after his Elimination from the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Portugal put in an uninspiring performance when a 91st-minute goal from Mikel Merino saw Spain beat their Iberian neighbors 1-0 and prepare for the quarter-finals with either the United States or Belgium.
Portugal’s defeat ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career as the 41-year-old had been a largely peripheral figure in his last game on the biggest stage. Ronaldo announced on Sunday that his sixth World Cup would be his last.
And after failing to keep their hopes of a first world title alive, Portugal will now move forward without Martínez.
Martínez was expected to resign after the tournament in North America and in his post-match press conference, Martínez said: “It’s the end of the cycle. It’s important to have a new voice, a new leader.
“I take the memories with me and I hope that Portugal has good memories of the three and a half years I spent as coach of the team. It was the experience of a lifetime.
“It had not been previously decided [that I would leave after the tournament]. I came with the goal of winning the World Cup and since I didn’t win there is no point in continuing.”
Martínez took charge of Portugal in 2023 after failing to lead Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ to a major trophy in more than six years with the Red Devils.
He won titles with Portugal, leading them to glory in the UEFA Nations League last year when they beat Spain in the final.
The Portuguese defense of the Nations League begins in September, when it will begin a new era against Wales.
