Five Managers Out of Jobs After 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup brought changes off the pitch, as several well-known managers have left their national teams and are now seeking new opportunities.
Didier Deschamps
After 14 years at the helm of France's national team, Didier Deschamps has stepped down. His squad just missed out on reaching a third straight World Cup final. During his time, he secured the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League titles, while also finishing runner-up at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.
The 57-year-old plans to take some time off to be with family, especially after losing his mother during the tournament. "I’ll go on vacation to spend time with my loved ones. We’ve expended a lot of energy, and what happened in my personal life—I wouldn’t wish that on anyone," he shared. He hasn’t coached a club since 2012 but might soon attract offers.
Julian Nagelsmann
Germany parted ways with Julian Nagelsmann despite his desire to stay. The team’s surprising early exit in the round of 32 against Paraguay pushed this decision. At only 38, younger than many players he’s faced, Nagelsmann has already managed eight Bundesliga seasons, won the league with Bayern Munich, and led Germany in two major tournaments.
Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez resigned as Portugal’s manager after a disappointing World Cup exit to Spain in the last 16. Having spent ten years coaching internationally—first Belgium, then Portugal—he is viewed as someone who didn’t quite reach expectations with very talented squads.
"It’s the end of the cycle," Martinez said. "It's important to have a new voice, a new leader. I take with me the memories and hope Portugal does too from my three and a half years as head coach. It was the experience of my life. I didn’t decide to leave before the tournament; I came aiming to win the World Cup. Since I didn’t, it doesn’t make sense to continue."
Zlatko Dalic
Zlatko Dalic ended his nine-year tenure as Croatia’s coach after guiding them to runner-up finishes at the 2018 World Cup and 2023 UEFA Nations League, plus a third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup. His club management career includes roles in Croatia, Albania, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. His recent successes could draw interest from top European clubs.
Steve Clarke
Steve Clarke chose to step down from managing Scotland after the 2026 World Cup. Despite criticism over Scotland's performance at their first major tournament appearance since 1998, Clarke had led the team for seven years. Before his tenure, Scotland had not qualified for a major event in 22 years.
