Ex-Belgium coach Roberto Martínez is the new national coach of Portugal. The Portuguese federation announced on Monday that the Spaniard is the successor to Fernando Santos, who was sidelined after the World Cup in Qatar.
Martinéz (49) was employed by the Belgian federation up to and including the World Cup. With the Red Devils he had a very disappointing final tournament in Qatar. The Belgians did not get through the group stage. In the summer of 2018, Martínez finished third with Belgium at the World Cup in Russia.
Portugal was stranded in the quarter-finals against Morocco at the World Cup. They hope to become successful again in the upcoming final tournaments with Martínez. The former manager of Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Everton has signed a contract up to and including the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The European Championships will take place in Germany in just over a year. Portugal has been placed in a qualifying group with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Slovakia and will start against Liechtenstein on March 23.
Martínez was presented on Monday as the successor to Fernando Santos and was immediately asked about Ronaldo’s international future. The all-time top scorer of the Portuguese lost his starting spot as captain during the World Cup in Qatar and went to the dressing room in tears after the elimination against Morocco in the quarterfinals.
Presentation
“I am not a coach who makes hasty decisions,” Martínez said during his presentation. “I want to talk to all the players and get to know each other better. Cristiano is also on my list. He has been playing for the national team for nineteen years and deserves respect. After those talks, it’s up to me to see which players we want to work towards the European Championship with.”
“We are going to start a new process and have to make important decisions, but everyone will have a chance to be part of the upcoming selection,” said the Spaniard, who will start the European Championship qualifying series with Portugal at home against Liechtenstein in March. The European Championship is in Germany in a year and a half.
