- The Netherlands have been without a manager since Ronald Koeman stepped down after the World Cup last-32 penalty shootout defeat by Morocco in June
- Arne Slot has confirmed he held talks with the KNVB but chose not to continue because he wants his next role to be in club football
- Roberto Martinez is now reportedly in talks with the KNVB after leaving Portugal following their World Cup round of 16 exit to eventual champions Spain
Netherlands Search Moves Towards Martinez
The Dutch FA, the KNVB, are reportedly exploring Roberto Martinez as a candidate for the vacant Netherlands managerial role, with Dutch media reporting that discussions have taken place with the Spanish coach.
The national team have been without a permanent manager since Ronald Koeman resigned from his second spell in charge shortly after the Netherlands were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Oranje went out in the round of 32, losing to Morocco on penalties.
🚨 The Netherlands are considering Roberto Martinez as an unexpected option for their managerial vacancy.
Dutch FA officials have already met Martinez privately in Malaga to discuss the possibility.
An appointment would make him their first overseas manager in almost five… pic.twitter.com/IaseVLP1K7
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 12, 2026
Koeman’s departure left the KNVB looking urgently for a successor. Peter Bosz, Erik ten Hag, Arne Slot, Michael Reiziger, and Pep Guardiola were all approached, although none of those discussions developed into advanced negotiations with the Dutch FA.
According to De Telegraaf, the KNVB has held talks with Roberto Martinez. The 53-year-old met director Nigel de Jong in Malaga to discuss the possibility of filling the vacancy.
Slot Confirms Talks But Rules Out National-Team Job For Now
Arne Slot, the former Liverpool head coach, has confirmed he spoke with the KNVB about the Netherlands position but withdrew because he wants his next job to be in club football.
Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss in May 2024. The Dutchman, 47, guided the Reds to their 20th league title in his debut season, but finished fifth in the Premier League and was sacked on 30 May.
He rejected claims that he had stepped away from the process because of disagreement over contractual demands.
“Over the past few weeks, and particularly the past few days, various reports have appeared regarding the vacancy at the Dutch national team, suggesting that I had withdrawn from the process after lengthy negotiations, including regarding salary and contract duration,” Slot told Voetbal International.
“That speculation is incorrect. We simply never reached that stage of the talks.”
Slot, who won the Eredivisie with Feyenoord in 2023, made clear that he has not closed the door on managing the Netherlands in the future.
“At this stage of my career, I prefer to see myself on the training pitch with my players every day. Something that is simply not possible in the same way with a national team,” he said.
“And (this is) why I chose not to continue the talks and not to start negotiations on what a possible contract might look like.
“I have enormous respect for the national team and for the KNVB and can only be positive about the professional manner in which the talks proceeded that week.
“For now, I believe that club football still has a lot to offer me.”
He added: “It would be a great honour to represent my country as national coach one day. However, this was not the right moment for me.”
Martinez’s Portugal Record And Tournament Exits
Martinez was in charge of Portugal at the World Cup. His side finished second in their group, then knocked former finalists Croatia out in the round of 32 before being eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the round of 16. Martinez resigned a day later.
At EURO 2024, Portugal also reached the quarterfinals under Martinez, but their campaign ended against France after a 5-3 defeat.
Across 45 games as Portugal manager, Martinez recorded 32 wins and 7 defeats.
| Manager | Relevant role or status | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Roberto Martinez | Reportedly in talks with the KNVB | Met director Nigel de Jong in Malaga; aged 53; left Portugal after the World Cup round of 16 defeat by eventual champions Spain. |
| Arne Slot | Held talks but withdrew | Wants his next role to be in club football; replaced Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in May 2024; was sacked on 30 May. |
| Ronald Koeman | Former Netherlands manager | Stepped down from his second spell after the World Cup last-32 penalty shootout defeat by Morocco in June. |
| Peter Bosz, Erik ten Hag, Michael Reiziger, Pep Guardiola | Approached by the KNVB | None entered advanced talks with the Dutch FA. |
Previous Achievements Across Club And International Football
The Catalonia-born Martinez previously managed Belgium between 2016 and 2022 and won the bronze medal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Before taking charge of Belgium, Martinez managed Everton, Wigan Athletic, and Swansea City. His club honours include winning the FA Cup with Wigan in 2013 and the League One title with Swansea in 2007.
With Slot no longer pursuing the national-team vacancy and other approached candidates failing to move into advanced discussions, the KNVB’s search has now shifted towards Martinez, who is reported in the Netherlands to be in talks over the role.
