That would clear the path for him to enter the mix and become the next permanent manager of Celtic.
08:55, 10 Feb 2026Updated 09:09, 10 Feb 2026
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez is now expected to leave Portugal at the end of his contract with Jose Mourinho being lined up to replace him in a blockbuster deal.
And that would clear the path for him to enter the mix and become the next permanent manager of Celtic.
Martinez is the bookies’ favourite to be named the club’s next boss for the long term and he has a long-standing relationship with current Parkhead No.2 Shaun Maloney.
The Spaniard is hoping to sign off with World Cup glory in North America but it’s expected to be his final tournament in charge whatever happens in America, Canada and Mexico.
The 52-year-old was Maloney’s manager at Wigan and then later brought him into the fold with Belgium where Maloney eventually became the Red Devils’ No.2.
Mourinho has never hid his desire to take on the national team role with his home country and it now appears he will get the chance – according to ESPN – in a post-Cristiano Ronaldo world, if the 41-year-old finally says goodbye to his national team.
That would tee up the Special One for a four-year plan which would result in a World Cup on home soil, with Portugal hosting alongside Spain and Morocco.
Martinez set tongues wagging when he was in attendance for former club Motherwell’s dominant 2-0 win over the Premiership champions in December – a result which forced hapless Wilfried Nancy closer to the exit door before the axe fell after defeat to Rangers.
The former Everton boss’ wife is Scottish and has long been namechecked with a potential switch to Celtic during multiple occasions over the past decade.
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