A significant event is unfolding in the football world that could radically change the trajectory of Dutch football. Spanish specialist Roberto Martinez is one step away from signing a contract with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB). According to the authoritative publication Sport RBC.UA, citing the Dutch tabloid De Telegraaf, both parties have already moved to discussing specific terms of cooperation. This appointment would be unprecedented for the "Oranje".
The End of the Koeman Era and the Search for a New Leader
The position of head coach of the Netherlands national team became vacant in July 2026 following the resignation of Ronald Koeman. His departure was a logical conclusion to an unsuccessful performance at the home World Cup 2026. Despite being one of the tournament favorites, the Dutch sensationally exited the competition in the Round of 32, losing to Morocco in a penalty shootout. This defeat became the point of no return for the contract with the 53-year-old specialist, who had led the team since January 2023.
The KNVB leadership initially considered the possibility of appointing domestic coaches to this position. The shortlist included such renowned figures as Arne Slot, Peter Bosz, and Erik ten Hag. However, all these options were rejected for various reasons: from the inability to terminate existing contracts with clubs to fundamental disagreements regarding the vision of the future national team project.
Historic Appointment: The First Foreigner Since 1978
If negotiations with Roberto Martinez conclude successfully, it will be a historic moment for Dutch football. Martinez would become the first foreign head coach of the Netherlands national team since 1978. The last coach without Dutch citizenship was the legendary Austrian Ernst Happel. Such a move indicates the KNVB's readiness to seek solutions beyond traditional personnel reserves, betting on the experience and international authority of the Spanish specialist.
Roberto Martinez himself became a free agent as of early July 2026. He left the post of head coach of the Portugal national team immediately after the conclusion of the World Cup. In Portugal, he worked successfully, but, like many coaches, could not hold on after the completion of the cycle associated with the World Cup. Now, his experience working with top national teams and knowledge of the specifics of international tournaments make him an ideal candidate for the revival of the "Oranje".
Complex Tournament Prospects and Tasks for 2026
The new head coach will have to immediately engage in the fight for prestige. Already this autumn, the Netherlands national team will start in the updated 2026 Nations League. The Dutch have landed in the elite Division A, where they face an extremely difficult group. The "Oranje" will have to battle against such strong opponents as Germany, Serbia, and Greece. These matches will be the first real test for the new coaching staff and an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves after the failure at the 2026 World Cup.
The successful conclusion of negotiations with Martinez also has the context of parallel events in European football. It was previously reported that Mauricio Pochettino extended his contract with the USA national team, confirming the trend of attracting star coaches to work in national teams. Martinez, with experience working with Belgium and Portugal, fits perfectly into this trend, offering the KNVB a ready-made scheme for working with elite players.
