The wave of managerial changes following the 2026 FIFA World Cup has gathered momentum, with at least eight national team coaches leaving their positions after their countries were eliminated from the tournament.
The latest to depart is Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez, who confirmed that his tenure had come to an end following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday.
Martinez, who took charge of Portugal in 2023, had faced sustained criticism throughout the tournament over his continued reliance on veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo despite growing calls for generational change within the squad.
Speaking to reporters after Portugal’s exit, the 52-year-old said the match against Spain marked his final game in charge of the national team.
“It is true that it was my last game with the Portugal national team,” Martinez said.
“Thank you to the Portuguese people because it was an incredible period, a pride which I can’t describe.
“All that strength, energy we had from all the fans, from all the Portuguese people was incredible.
“Thank you for this and I take with me a memory for life.”
Martinez’s departure had been widely anticipated, with his contract due to expire at the conclusion of Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
His exit comes amid a broader reshuffle across several national teams as football federations begin reviewing performances at the tournament and planning for the next international cycle.
Among the coaches to leave is Ghana’s Carlos Queiroz, who stepped down after the Black Stars were eliminated in the Round of 32.
Germany also parted ways with Julian Nagelsmann following the team’s elimination, while Ecuador’s Sebastián Beccacece left his position after his side’s campaign came to an end.
The Netherlands have also undergone a managerial change, with Ronald Koeman leaving after the Dutch were knocked out of the competition.
Elsewhere, Czechia’s Miroslav Koubek departed after his team’s elimination, Scotland ended Steve Clarke’s tenure following their exit, while South Korea also saw Hong Myung-bo leave after their World Cup campaign concluded.
The managerial changes underscore the intense pressure national team coaches face at major tournaments, where World Cup performances often determine the future of technical crews regardless of their previous achievements.
With the competition now entering the quarter-final stage, additional coaching changes are expected as more national federations complete post-tournament reviews and begin preparations for upcoming continental championships and the next World Cup qualifying cycle.
Coaches who have left after World Cup elimination
• Roberto Martinez (Portugal) — Resigned after Portugal’s 1-0 Round of 16 defeat to Spain.
• Carlos Queiroz (Ghana) — Stepped down after Ghana’s Round of 32 exit.
• Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) — Left after Germany’s elimination.
• Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador) — Departed following Ecuador’s exit.
• Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) — Left after the Netherlands’ elimination.
• Miroslav Koubek (Czechia) — Left after Czechia were knocked out.
• Steve Clarke (Scotland) — Departed after Scotland’s campaign ended.
• Hong Myung-bo (South Korea) — Left following South Korea’s elimination.
