OFFICIAL: Portugal appoint Roberto Martinez as coach

2023-01-10 10:14

OFFICIAL: Portugal appoint Roberto Martinez as coach


Roberto Martinez has been appointed as Portugal's coach for a term of 3 years. He will lead Portugal to the 2024 European Cup in Germany and the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.


Martinez, 49, takes over from Fernando Santos, who resigned in December after a World Cup quarter-final loss to Morocco. This is the fourth time Martinez has coached Portugal after Swansea (2007-2009), Wigan (2009-2013), Everton (2013-2016) and Belgium (2016-2022). hold a teaching position.


Roberto Martinez's coaching performance has always been remarkable. He was behind Wigan's first-ever FA Cup win in 2013 and also led Everton to their best-ever Premier League record (72 points). While in charge of Belgium, the Catalan became the manager with the most victories in the history of the Red Devils with 56 wins, including a 2-0 victory over England in 2018 to win the third place in the World Cup.


"Perfectly meet the selection criteria"

Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Fernando Gomez is convinced Roberto Martinez will be the right man for Portugal's coach. "The new manager must have big ambitions, have a certain understanding of international football, be used to coaching players at the highest level and ideally have a record of coaching the best leagues and national teams," Gomez said. "It never mattered where the new Portuguese coach was born."


"From our first conversation with Roberto Martinez, we immediately realized that he fits the bill perfectly. He shares our belief that Portugal can and should always qualify for the knockout stages of major competitions. We must at least reach any The semi-finals of the tournament. That's what we're after, it's in our DNA."


"Martinez is our only coach with a concrete offer"

Earlier it was reported that FPF had contacted Van Gaal, Mourinho, and Zidane, but Fernando Gomez was noncommittal about this. Facing the reporter's questioning, he answered ambiguously: "We have talked to many people, and I have a good relationship with the coaches in Portugal. However, Roberto Martinez is the only coach we have made a specific offer to. "


"We will do everything we can to ensure that he has a long and happy time as Portugal manager."


"I am very happy"

From Belgium to Portugal, Roberto Martinez is also full of expectations. "I am absolutely delighted to be here and coach one of the most talented teams in the world," he told a news conference.


“From my first meeting with the board, the chairman, I was looking forward to this project and it really motivated me. I understand that there are huge expectations for us, but there is also a large group of people who are working hard to achieve our goal."