One more door closed. How Saudi Arabia ruled out Roberto Martínez

Hanother door closes for Roberto Martínez. The former Portuguese selector, who finished contract after the World Cup2026, in which the team of quinas did not go beyond the eighths of the final, would be very close to being announced in Saudi Arabia, but the Federation ‘roeu the rope’. 

The plan was simple: to replace Georgios Donis in office for the next few weeks. However, the conquest of the Gulf Cup on Monday, winning in the final the United Arab Emirates (2–0) reversed the course of events. 

Riyadiya TV immediately advanced that Badr Al-Ruzaiza, president of the Saudi Arabian Federation, was faced with a dilemma and eventually gave in to public opinion. The victory at Jeddah left Saudi supporters enchanted with Georgios Donis, who had already been with the World Cup team, and a possible exit could motivate strong contestation.

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— ال October 7, 2026

In this sense, Al-Ruzaiza had to go back on the word given to Roberto Martínez, breaking the agreement made between them. The continuity of Donis would eventually be made official on Thursday in a statement. 

“ In view of what has been reported in the media regarding the main coach of the national team, Mr. Georgios Donis, the Saudi Football Federation wishes to confirm that the selector remains in command of the team. There is no decision to change the technical team, contrary to what has been circulated”, clarified the Federation. 

الا https://t.co/7rDydZWKJf

— الا October 8, 2026

New door closed for Martínez 

This was, like, another door Roberto Martínez can no longer knock on. The former national selector had already been associated with the Netherlands selection, which would eventually bet on Xavi Hernández, having also been in the orbit of Scotland, which would announce Sébastien Pocognoli. 

The 53-year-old Spanish technician was also appointed to the technical command of Al Nassr, where he would find João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Saudi champion preferred to hire Ange Postecoglou to succeed Jorge Jesus. 

Fired without glory

Although he led Portugal to conquer the League of Nations in 2025, Roberto Martínez, who succeeded Fernando Santos in 2023, failed roundly at Euro2024 and, more recently, at World Cup2026. 

Hired by Fernando Gomes, the selector would eventually not convince Pedro Proença, who took over the presidency of the Portuguese Football Federation in February 2025. 

Both Martínez and Proença refused to design the future, pointing the batteries to the World Championship, but confirmation of goodbye arrived after defeat with Spain (0-1), in the eighths of the final, on 6 July. 

“I arrived in Portugal to win the World Cup and I think that without winning, it makes no sense to continue. The board and the president now have the opportunity to choose the new selector. The president has always supported my work, but my contract ends today. There’s not much more to say,” Roberto Martínez shot at a press conference, ensuring he was grateful for the opportunity given him in Portugal.

“It’s a pride. I think you can look at the most objective aspect: the 45 games we played together. But I feel welcomed as another Portuguese in a very dear way. It was a pleasure, a pride and a responsibility. It is difficult to find the end of this cycle, but in the context it makes perfect sense ", the coach who follows, thus, free in the market. 

It should be remembered that in addition to the passage by the Portuguese team, Roberto Martínez was also long ahead of Belgium, already having guided clubs such as Everton, Wigan and Swansea.