Roberto Martínez has been a fixture in European football management for nearly two decades, but his future behind the Portugal bench has become one of the sport’s most talked-about storylines. After leading his adopted nation to the 2025 UEFA Nations League title (FotMob, football stats platform), the Spanish coach now appears ready to walk away.

Born: 13 July 1973 (age 52) ·
Nationality: Spanish ·
Current role: Portugal national team manager (since 2023) ·
Previous roles: Swansea City, Wigan Athletic, Everton, Belgium ·
Major trophy: FA Cup (2013 with Wigan Athletic)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key facts about Roberto Martínez, from his name to his managerial honours.

Attribute Value
Full name Roberto Martínez Montoliu
Date of birth 13 July 1973
Place of birth Balaguer, Spain
Playing career Midfielder for Wigan Athletic, Walsall (loan), etc.
Managerial career start 2007 (Swansea City)
Honours as manager FA Cup (2013), League One (2008), Nations League (2025)

What is Roberto Martinez doing now?

Current role as Portugal manager

Martínez was appointed Portugal head coach in January 2023, replacing Fernando Santos (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia). He inherited a squad teeming with talent — Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Dias — and quickly delivered silverware, winning the UEFA Nations League in the 2024/25 season (FotMob, football stats platform).

Reports of stepping down after 2026

On 16 June 2026, a wave of reports from talkSPORT, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, and FourFourTwo indicated Martínez will leave Portugal after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ESPN reported that Martínez “strongly hinted” the tournament would be his last, and that the decision had already been discussed internally.

Recent match results and performance

Under Martínez, Portugal have been formidable. Beyond the Nations League triumph, they qualified comfortably for the 2026 World Cup. The squad depth remains strong, but the manager’s future has become a steady undercurrent in every press conference.

Bottom line: Martínez is currently Portugal’s manager, but all signs point to him leaving after the 2026 World Cup. For Portuguese fans: enjoy his final tournament run. For club suitors: Al‑Nassr may already have an agreement.
The paradox

Martínez is leaving while still winning — the Nations League title and World Cup qualification suggest performance isn’t the issue. The puzzle is whether he wants a new challenge or simply a break from international football.

The implication: his departure is not driven by failure but by a desire for something different.

Why did Everton sack Roberto Martinez?

Poor results in final season

Martínez was sacked by Everton in May 2016 after three seasons at Goodison Park (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia). The 2015–16 campaign saw Everton finish 11th in the Premier League — a drop from 5th the previous season and 11th in his first year. The Toffees conceded 58 league goals that season, a club record in the Premier League era.

Fan discontent and protests

Supporters grew frustrated with what they saw as a lack of defensive organisation and a stubborn tactical approach. Martinez’s side won only three of their final 13 league games, and the atmosphere around Goodison turned toxic. The board acted after a 3–0 defeat to Sunderland in May 2016 all but confirmed a mid‑table finish.

Defensive struggles

The numbers tell the story: 58 goals against in 38 games. That defensive fragility, combined with a recurring inability to close out matches, became the defining narrative of Martínez’s Everton tenure.

Bottom line: Everton sacked Martínez because results and defensive stability collapsed. The pattern was clear: a strong first season followed by regression, and the board decided a change was needed.
The catch

Martínez’s Everton were often entertaining going forward, but that attacking flair came at a price — the worst defensive record in the club’s Premier League history.

The pattern: defensive fragility trumped attacking ambition.

Is Roberto Martinez leaving Portugal?

Reported decision to step down after World Cup

Yes — according to multiple credible reports. On 16 June 2026, talkSPORT, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, and FourFourTwo all reported that Martínez will not renew his contract, which expires after the 2026 World Cup. ESPN added that the coach himself has signalled this will be his final tournament.

Reasons mentioned in press

The reasons remain speculative. Some outlets point to a desire for a new challenge — possibly at club level, with Yahoo Sports reporting talks with Al‑Nassr. Others mention personal reasons, though nothing has been confirmed. The Portuguese Football Federation has not issued a formal statement.

Potential successors

Speculation has already begun. Sky Sports Football (UK broadcaster) reported, though with low confidence, that José Mourinho has a verbal agreement in principle to take over. Other names mentioned include Ruben Amorim and Paulo Fonseca.

Bottom line: Martínez is almost certain to leave Portugal after the 2026 World Cup. The federation has yet to confirm, but the media convergence suggests a done deal. For Portuguese fans: the post‑Martínez era begins later this year.

The takeaway: a planned exit rather than a sudden resignation.

What trophies has Roberto Martinez won?

FA Cup with Wigan Athletic (2013)

The defining achievement of Martínez’s club career. His Wigan Athletic side, then in the Premier League, beat Manchester City 1–0 in the 2013 FA Cup final at Wembley — one of the competition’s great upsets (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia). It remains Wigan’s only major trophy.

League One title with Swansea City (2007–08)

In his first managerial role, Martínez led Swansea City to the League One title and promotion to the Championship (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia). He was named League One Manager of the Year in 2008.

UEFA Nations League (2025)

With Portugal, Martínez added an international trophy. The Nations League win in the 2024/25 season demonstrated his ability to organise a talented squad and win knockout matches (FotMob, football stats platform). He is yet to win a major trophy with Belgium (World Cup third place in 2018) or Portugal beyond the Nations League.

Bottom line: Martínez has three senior titles: one League One, one FA Cup, one Nations League. For a manager of his profile, the FA Cup upset remains the headline act.

The headline: the FA Cup upset remains his signature achievement.

Are Ally and Roberto still together?

Relationship timeline

Yes — Roberto Martínez (the footballer, not to be confused with the manager of the same name) and Ali Fedotowsky are still married as of 2025. They met on season 6 of The Bachelorette in 2010, where Martinez was a contestant who later won Fedotowsky’s final rose. They married in 2012 and have two children together. There are no public reports of separation.

Current status

Fedotowsky, a former reality TV personality and lifestyle blogger, regularly posts family photos. The couple lives in Colorado. This is a personal life note separate from the football manager profile.

Timeline

2007–2009: Manager of Swansea City – won League One title.
2009–2013: Manager of Wigan Athletic – won FA Cup 2013.
2013–2016: Manager of Everton – sacked May 2016.
2016–2022: Manager of Belgium national team – 2018 World Cup third place.
January 2023 – present: Manager of Portugal national team – won Nations League 2025.
Summer 2026 (reported): Expected to step down after 2026 World Cup. (talkSPORT; Wikipedia for earlier roles)

Clarity: what we know vs. what we don’t

Confirmed facts:

  • Martínez is Spanish-born, not Portuguese.
  • He won the FA Cup with Wigan in 2013 (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia).
  • He was sacked by Everton in May 2016 (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia).
  • He married Ali Fedotowsky in 2012 and they are still together.

What’s unclear: