By Victor Kanayo
Roberto Martinez has been officially named as the new coach of Portugal men National team
He was hired weeks after he stepped down as Belgium coach after the country’s elimination from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at group stage.
The 49-year-old Spaniard takes over from Fernando Santos who quit as coach five days after Portugal exited the recently World Cup at the quarter-final stage.
Santos, spent eight years in charge and led Portugal to their first major title at Euro 2016.
Shortly after Martinez was unveiled as new Portugal manager, he took time to clarify the situation of skipper Cristiano Ronaldo, who has just signed for Saudi club Al Nassr.
He said, “My point of departure will be the squad of 26 players who played in the World Cup, and Cristiano Ronaldo is one of them.”
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-final.
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.
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.
