The history of the national team is not built solely on legendary players and memorable matches — it is also shaped by the managers who, over more than a century, have guided the Portuguese side.

From the first steps in 1921 to the European triumphs of the 21st century, each head coach has left their mark, with distinct styles, strategies and legacies.

In this article, we will look at the key figures who have led Portugal, their most significant achievements, and the moments that defined the evolution of our national team.

Who was the first manager of the national team?

Between 1921 and 1966, the Portuguese national team went through a phase of construction and assertion. The first formal head coach was António Ribeiro dos Reis, who also played in the team's first match. In 1925, he led Portugal to their first official victory, against Italy (2-1).

But it was Cândido de Oliveira — the eternal Master — who stood out most during this period. A journalist and coach, he led Portugal to the quarter-finals of the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics and accumulated 6 wins, 9 draws and 13 defeats across several spells in charge of the national team.

Other names such as Tavares da Silva, Maia Loureiro and Laurindo Grijó also contributed, with Tavares particularly notable for his 10 wins and for milestones including the first victory over Spain and the first win on foreign soil (Ireland).

Who led Portugal to the 1966 World Cup?

Between 1950 and 1966, Portugal had eight managers, but it was under Manuel da Luz Afonso and Otto Glória that the team reached their first major international competition: the 1966 World Cup in England.

Otto Glória, a Brazilian coach, and Luz Afonso — with an impressive win rate of 75% (15 wins in 20 matches) — guided the team to a historic third-place finish, with Eusébio as the central figure. José Maria Antunes also deserves credit for having introduced the "Black Panther" to the national team.

Was there stability between 1967 and 1998?

Not really. This was a period marked by many managers and few qualifications. Even so, there were moments of brilliance, such as the second-place finish at the 1972 Brazil Independence Cup, under the command of José Augusto.

In 1984, Fernando Cabrita led Portugal to the European Championship in France, beating the Soviet Union in qualifying. José Torres built on this momentum and qualified the team for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

In the years that followed, names such as Ruy Seabra, Juca, António Oliveira and Artur Jorge attempted to return Portugal to the biggest stages. Oliveira managed to qualify the team for Euro 1996, but they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Poborsky's chip.

Who led Portugal into the new millennium?

From 1999 onwards, the national team entered a new era marked by greater stability and success. Humberto Coelho kicked off this phase with an impressive qualifying campaign for Euro 2000, where Portugal produced a historic comeback against England.

The enchanting style of play, dubbed "poetry football," reignited fan enthusiasm. António Oliveira returned, qualified Portugal for the 2002 World Cup, but the campaign in Japan and South Korea was disappointing.

Who was the manager at Euro 2004?

Luiz Felipe Scolari, coming from Brazil, took charge of the national team for Euro 2004, hosted in Portugal. He gave Cristiano Ronaldo his chance and led the team to the final, where they lost to Greece.

Over his five years in charge (2003–2008), he accumulated 74 matches, 42 wins and two qualifications for major tournaments.

Which managers defined the following decade?

Carlos Queiroz returned to the national team and qualified Portugal for the 2010 World Cup, where they recorded the biggest winning margin in the history of tournament final stages (7-0 against North Korea). Paulo Bento succeeded him and secured appearances at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.

After the Brazil World Cup, Fernando Santos was chosen to lead Portugal. With a solid track record and a pragmatic approach, Santos transformed the national team and led them to victory at Euro 2016, sealed by Éder's famous goal in the final against France.

In 2019, he lifted another trophy by winning the first edition of the Nations League at the Estádio do Dragão. With 89 matches and 54 wins, he is the most successful manager in the history of the national team.

Who is the current national team manager?

After the elimination at the 2022 World Cup, Fernando Santos was succeeded by Roberto Martínez, who became the third foreign manager in the history of the Portuguese national team. With international experience and a modern approach, Martínez now has the mission of preparing Portugal for future challenges and keeping the country among the giants of world football.

His leadership has already borne fruit: in June 2025, Portugal won the second edition of the Nations League, defeating Spain in the final and reaffirming their status as one of the most competitive national teams in the world today.

Conclusion: the legacy of Portugal's national team managers

Every national team manager has contributed to building Portugal's footballing identity. Some with historic victories, others with distinctive styles — all of them left their mark.

Want to celebrate the national team's journey and show your support? Visit the Portugal Store and discover the official items that pay tribute to the great moments and leaders who made history in service of Portugal.