Five Coaches from 2026 World Cup Now Searching for New Roles

Five 2026 World Cup Coaches Out of Jobs

Following the 2026 World Cup, several managers have parted ways with their national teams. Among them are some familiar names who are now exploring fresh opportunities in football.

Didier Deschamps

Didier Deschamps ended his 14-year tenure as France’s head coach after narrowly missing out on a third straight World Cup final. The former French captain led the team to victory at the 2018 World Cup and secured the 2021 UEFA Nations League title, also finishing as runner-up at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.

At 57 years old, Deschamps plans to take time off to reflect and spend time with family, especially after the recent loss of his mother during the tournament. Though he hasn’t managed a club side since 2012, many believe clubs could come calling soon.

Julian Nagelsmann

The 38-year-old Julian Nagelsmann left his role with Germany following a surprising early exit in the last 32 against Paraguay. Despite his wish to continue, the poor World Cup performance triggered a change, leaving him without a current coaching position.

Nagelsmann is still young compared to many top coaches and has an impressive resume: eight Bundesliga seasons, a league title with Bayern Munich, and leading Germany through two major tournaments.

Roberto Martinez

Roberto Martinez stepped down as Portugal’s coach after the team’s defeat by Spain in the round of 16. The Spaniard, 53, spent a decade managing internationally, first with Belgium and then Portugal, but many see his time as underwhelming given the talent at his disposal.

“It’s the end of the cycle,” Martinez said. “A new voice, a new leader is needed. I leave with memories and hope Portugal remembers my three and a half years positively. I came aiming to win the World Cup; since I didn’t, continuing doesn’t make sense.”

Zlatko Dalic

Zlatko Dalic stepped down after nine years leading Croatia. His tenure included runner-up finishes at the 2018 World Cup and the 2023 UEFA Nations League, plus third place at the 2022 World Cup.

Dalic’s club management experience spans Croatia, Albania, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Given his track record, interest from a top-five European league side seems likely.

Steve Clarke

After seven years at the helm, Steve Clarke decided to leave Scotland following their 2026 World Cup campaign. While his team faced criticism for their performances in North America, Clarke had helped Scotland reach a major tournament for the first time since 1998, ending a 22-year drought before his tenure.