Netherlands in talks with Roberto Martinez for head coach role

The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) is in advanced discussions with Roberto Martinez to become the next head coach of the Netherlands men's national team, a move that would make the Spaniard the country's first foreign manager in nearly five decades. The talks follow the departure of Ronald Koeman after the team's exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the withdrawal of leading domestic candidate Arne Slot.

Martinez, 53, recently resigned as Portugal manager after the team was eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the round of 16 at the World Cup in North America. His potential appointment would mark a significant shift for the KNVB, which has not appointed a non-Dutch coach since Austrian Ernst Happel led the team to the 1978 World Cup final.

According to reports, KNVB technical director Nigel de Jong met with Martinez in Malaga to discuss the vacancy. The search for a successor to Koeman, who stepped down following the Netherlands' penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the round of 32 in June, has seen several high-profile Dutch candidates decline the role. Former Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who was considered a frontrunner, confirmed he withdrew from the process to pursue...