Speaking after the match, the Spanish strategist said this is a suitable time to close his term of more than three years.
This is when a cycle ends and the team needs a breath of fresh air. President Pedro Proenca has the opportunity to choose a suitable coach for the next stage and I think that is reasonable," Mr. Martinez shared.
The 52-year-old coach also sent his thanks to the Portuguese Football Federation and the leadership for their trust during his working time.
I will always remember this wonderful time. Hopefully Portuguese fans will also keep beautiful memories of the past three and a half years of journey," he said.
Martinez affirmed that the biggest goal when accepting to lead Portugal after the 2022 World Cup is to conquer the world championship. However, when he could not complete the goal, he said that ending his term was a suitable choice. The contract between the two sides also ended immediately after the 2026 World Cup.
During his time leading Portugal, the biggest mark of the Spanish strategist was the UEFA Nations League 2025 championship after winning against Spain in the final.
Martinez's departure from the coaching chair took place not long after Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that the 2026 World Cup is the last World Cup in his career.
Assessing his veteran student, Martinez praised Ronaldo a lot.
There will not be many players like Cristiano Ronaldo. I always appreciate his efforts at this World Cup, because Ronaldo's biggest dream is to lift the World Cup trophy. He is a model captain, with great influence both on the pitch and in the dressing room," he shared.
According to Martinez, Ronaldo's contributions are not only in expertise but also in the role of spiritual leader, creating a positive impact on the whole team throughout the 2026 World Cup campaign.
After closing this year's tournament, Portugal will aim to prepare for the 2030 World Cup, a tournament that this country will co-host with Spain and Morocco.
