He was supposed to transform Everton into Premier League contenders. He failed. He was trusted to coach Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Axel Witsel and friends to a World Cup victory. He failed – twice. Now he’s become the national coach of Portugal, one of the most talented nations in world football over the next three years. Well done to you, Roberto Martinez.The Spanish coach has taken over the role vacated by the sacking of Fernando Santos after the hit-and-miss campaign in Qatar. Martinez himself has stepped down as Belgium coach after their elimination from the World Cup in Qatar in the group stage. The 49-year-old Spaniard’s most pressing issue in his in-tray will be to clarify the situation of skipper Cristiano Ronaldo, who has just signed for Saudi club Al-Nassr.”My point of departure will be the squad of 26 players who played in the World Cup, and Cristiano Ronaldo is one of them.” ##NAJAVA_MECA_6929350##Martinez added that he would make his decisions “on the pitch and not in an office”. Martinez, who cut his managerial teeth at Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Everton, took over as Belgium coach in 2016, leading the side to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.Under his leadership, Belgium were top of the FIFA world rankings for more than three years. But his time with the Red Devils came unstuck in Qatar, where they overcame Canada 1-0, but were then beaten 2-0 by Morocco before a goaless draw with Croatia ensured an early departure.With the quality of the squad he had at his disposal, being top in the FIFA rankings is fine, but it’s ultimately worthless unless there’s a trophy to show for it. Martinez couldn’t cut it – and now he’s been appointed by a football association that demands results. What could possibly go awry?Portugal fans looking at the board after Roberto Martinez’s appointment pic.twitter.com/InsAKnZ1x9— Chelsea Geek (@TheAlphaFooty) January 7, 2023 Portugal had Santos at the helm for eight years, and the 68-year-old led the team to their first-ever international titles: the 2016 European Championship and the inaugural 2019 Nations League. Santos quit as coach five days after Portugal exited the World Cup at the quarter-final stage.Roberto Martinez is a competent coach – but he is yet to prove that he’s got that much-needed winning gene. Portugal have taken a big risk in trusting their finest generation of footballers to him.
