Cristiano Ronaldo will be left without a coach. Portugal's head coach decides to leave the team
Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
The football world was rocked mid-way through the World Cup group stage by sensational news from the camp of one of the tournament's main favorites.
Details: According to Alex Crook, Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martínez has made the final decision to step down immediately after the conclusion of the World Cup. The Spanish specialist will resign regardless of how Cristiano Ronaldo and company fare on the North American pitches—be it an early exit or a run all the way to the gold medals.
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Martínez has already informed the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) leadership that he will not extend his current contract, which automatically expires at the end of the tournament.
Under the guidance of the 52-year-old coach, Portugal enjoyed a dominant cycle, breezing through qualification, but the manager felt his time at the helm of the Seleção had reached its natural conclusion and that the team needs fresh blood to take the next step in their evolution.
As for the Spaniard’s future, he has no plans for a lengthy sabbatical and is open to new offers. Those close to Martínez note that his top priority is a return to the Premier League.
Reminder: The Portugal national team will honor Diogo Jota’s memory at the World Cup.
