Roberto Martinez emerges as leading candidate for Manchester United job after 2026 World Cup

Last Updated on 27 February 2026

As the 2026 World Cup in North America approaches, the managerial carousel at Old Trafford is picking up speed. While Michael Carrick has steadied the ship as interim boss following Ruben Amorim’s departure, the INEOS leadership is reportedly casting a wide net for a permanent successor.

One name that has surged into the spotlight is current Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez.

With reports suggesting that the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has already lined up Jose Mourinho to take the reins after the World Cup, Martinez is positioned for a high-profile return to club management.

Roberto Martinez to leave Portugal job after World Cup

The timing for Manchester United is almost too convenient. Martinez’s contract with Portugal concludes after the 2026 World Cup, and the narrative in Lisbon is clear: the FPF wants to bring “The Special One” home.

This leaves Martinez as a free agent this summer.

Also Read: Gang raids Roberto Martinez’s luxury home in Portugal

Speaking recently on The Overlap, Martinez hinted at his readiness for a new project, stating:

“When it’s the right time, it’s the right project. It’s about a board that believes in your work.”

For a Manchester United side looking to rebuild its identity under the INEOS era, Martinez’s focus on “project-led” coaching could be the perfect match.

Why Roberto Martinez Fits Manchester United

Tactical Flexibility

Martinez has shown adaptability throughout his career.

With Belgium, he deployed an expansive 4-3-3 built around elite attackers. With Portugal, he has shifted between 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems depending on personnel. That flexibility could help solve United’s recent identity crisis.

The Bruno Fernandes Factor

Martinez already works closely with Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot at international level.

His understanding of Fernandes’ leadership and Dalot’s tactical versatility provides continuity that few external candidates can offer.

In the same podcast, Martinez sung praise for Fernandes, lauding his resilience and influence.

He said: “I think he’s very unfairly assessed, I would say, because I think if we are very objective, to be the captain of Manchester United in the last three or four years, I bet it’s been incredibly tough at every level.

“And what I appreciate from him is he never hides. Never hides. And I’m not going to value if he makes the right pass, the right execution.

“But whatever happens in any action, he’s the one that is, he’s a leader. He’s a leader. And the way he’s very emotional, but in a very respected way by his teammates.

“When the teammates see Bruno upset, they react, they know that is something.”

Premier League Experience

Unlike many continental candidates, Martinez understands English football culture.

He managed Wigan Athletic, winning the FA Cup in 2013, and later led Everton FC for three seasons.

That domestic grounding may appeal to a board seeking both innovation and familiarity.

The INEOS Shortlist: Why Martinez?

While Michael Carrick remains a popular internal candidate, United’s leadership, spearheaded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, reportedly wants a manager with a proven track record of handling “big egos” and major tournaments.

Martinez’s experience in the Premier League with Everton and Wigan (where he won the FA Cup) gives him a level of domestic understanding that other European candidates lack. He isn’t just a “tournament coach”; he is a builder who understands the “British managerial culture.”

A Risk Worth Taking?

Critics will argue that Martinez has not managed a club side since 2018. The transition from tournament football back to the relentless weekly grind of the Premier League would present a challenge.

Yet his reputation as a modern, possession-based coach aligns with INEOS’ long-term vision of structured build-up play and identity-driven recruitment.

If Manchester United want to avoid another short-term fix, Martinez represents a project coach rather than a stop-gap appointment.

With the 2026 World Cup approaching and Mourinho potentially waiting in the wings for Portugal the timing may prove decisive.