Roberto Martinez is reportedly in negotiations with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) to become the next head coach of the Netherlands. This development comes just weeks after the Spanish manager concluded his tenure with the Portugal national team, which he led until their Round of 16 elimination by Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to reports from Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, the KNVB is actively seeking a successor to Ronald Koeman, who stepped down following the team's exit from the 2026 tournament. The Netherlands were knocked out in the Round of 32 after a 3-2 penalty shootout loss to Morocco, following a 1-1 draw in extra time. It is reported that Martinez has already held discussions with KNVB technical director and former player Nigel De Jong regarding the position. The association had previously considered other candidates, including Arne Slot, Peter Bosz, and Erik ten Hag, all of whom reportedly declined the opportunity.
Should he be appointed, Martinez would become the first foreign manager to lead the Dutch national team since 1978. The 51-year-old has been a staple in international management since 2018, having previously served as the head coach for Belgium—where he secured a third-place finish at the 2018 FIFA World Cup—and most recently Portugal.
During his time with Portugal, which began in 2023 when he replaced Fernando Santos, Martinez oversaw 45 matches, recording 32 wins, 6 draws, and 7 defeats for a 71% win rate. Under his leadership, the team competed in the 2024 Euros, the 2025 UEFA Nations League, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, winning the 2025 Nations League title. Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, featured prominently under Martinez, contributing 28 goals and four assists across 37 appearances. The Portuguese captain, who holds the record for the most goals in men's international football with 146, is widely expected to retire from international competition in the near future.
