Portugal appoints former Belgium and Everton manager Roberto Martinez as new head coach

Portugal has appointed former Belgium and Everton manager Roberto Martinez as the team’s new head coach. Martinez will be replacing Fernando Santos who resigned from the post of Portugal’s head coach following the team’s defeat by Morocco at World Cup 2022 last month. Meanwhile, After staying in charge for six years, Martinez resigned as Belgium's coach in the aftermath of the team’s group-stage exit in Qatar.



Following Portugal’s confirmation of Martinez’s appointment as the new head coach, the 47-year-old Spaniard said, “I am delighted to represent one of the most talented teams in the world”.




One of the biggest decisions that Martinez would have to take as Portugal’s head coach, that too, within the opening months of his leadership, would be regarding concerns around international icon Cristiano Ronaldo and his future. Ronaldo, who has acquired 196 caps for Portugal, was benched at Qatar World Cup 2022. There are several budding questions about his ability to influence the game.



In a statement, Martinez also noted that he knows there are “great expectations and big objectives”. He went on to applaud the “great team” of people at the federation and emphasised that he has “great excitement” to achieve all the objectives. Portugal football president Fernando Gomes also termed Martinez’s appointment as an “important moment” for the national team.

FAQs:

1. Who is Roberto Martinez?
   He was the former manager of Belgium and Everton. He is now appointed as Portugal’s new head coach.
2. Who has Roberto Martinez replaced?
   Fernando Santos