Jorge Jesus is set to be appointed Portugal coach after Roberto Martínez stepped down in the wake of the national team’s World Cup exit. The veteran manager, long regarded as one of the most tactically astute Portuguese coaches of his generation, is expected to sign a contract that will take him through the next European Championship cycle.

The Portuguese Football Federation moved quickly after Martínez’s resignation, turning to a figure with deep roots in the domestic game and extensive international experience. Jesus has built a reputation for aggressive, high-pressing football and meticulous preparation, honed during successful spells at Benfica, Flamengo and clubs in the Middle East.

Within Portugal, his appointment is seen as both a return to tradition and a bold attempt to modernise the national side’s playing identity. Jesus is known for demanding intensity without the ball and fluid attacking patterns in possession, a contrast to the more cautious approach that drew criticism during the World Cup campaign.

Sources close to the federation indicate that Jesus impressed in interviews with a detailed plan for integrating a new generation of Portuguese talent while maintaining a core of experienced leaders. He is understood to have presented a clear blueprint for reshaping the team’s tactical structure, with particular emphasis on pressing triggers, positional rotations in midfield and more direct use of wide forwards.

Jesus’s track record in developing players is likely to be central to his mandate. At Benfica he oversaw the rise of several future internationals, while at Flamengo he transformed a talented squad into a dominant, high-tempo side that swept domestic and continental honours. The federation is betting that the same blend of discipline and attacking ambition can unlock the full potential of Portugal’s current pool.

His arrival will also bring a strong personality to the national-team setup. Jesus is famously demanding on the training ground and unafraid to make bold selection calls, traits that could reshape the internal hierarchy of the squad. Early decisions on the captaincy, tactical system and the status of several senior players will be closely scrutinised.

For Portugal, the appointment marks the beginning of a new cycle defined by expectation and scrutiny. For Jorge Jesus, it represents the culmination of a long coaching career and the chance to imprint his distinctive footballing philosophy on the country’s most prestigious job.