Portugal have confirmed the signing of Roberto Martinez as the next manager of the A Seleção. Fernandos Santos resigned from his role as team manager after Portugal lost to Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final.
The World Cup recorded several casualties in managerial positions. The failure to reach their targets saw many managers at the Mundial fall on their swords or get the sack. With many vacancies available, replacing them has begun in earnest, as there are upcoming competitions. There is a small pool of top managers to pick from, so the race has started.
Some countries in the quest for a new manager include Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Mexico, South Korea and Ghana. These countries lost their managers to resignations following their inability to hit their targets. France has moved on by giving their manager Didier Deschamps a new contract.
Portugal have also moved quickly to resolve the impasse in its managerial situation. A Seleção has confirmed the signing of the former Belgium manager to replace Fernando Santos. Santos quit his position after Portugal’s loss to Morocco in the quarter-final of the World Cup.
Portugal replaces Fernando Santos with Roberto Martinez
While Brazil struggle to find another manager for its national team, Portugal has moved ahead to replace Fernando Santos. The Portuguese manager fell on his sword after failing to guide A Seleção past Morocco in the quarter-final of the World Cup.
With matches coming up soon, Portugal has opted for another manager who also failed at the World Cup.
A Seleção confirmed the appointment of Roberto Martinez as their new manager. The former Belgium manager takes over from the recently departed Fernando Santos.
Fernando Santos led Portugal to the Euro 2016 triumph but brought his eight-year reign to a close by falling on his sword after Portugal’s run at the World Cup. He also led A Seleção to win the inaugural Euro Nations League.
Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez will now take over the helm and try to surpass the achievements of perhaps Portugal’s most successful coach. The Spaniard also suffered a disastrous World Cup campaign that saw Belgium crash out of the group stage.
Roberto Martinez – A curious pick
One would think Portugal would go for a more illustrious manager to take over from Santos, but A Seleção has opted for a man who barely has anything to show for his many years as a manager. They confirmed the signing of former Everton manager Roberto Martinez.
Martinez has been at the helm with the Red Devils for six years, and led them to one of their worst World Cup outings. Perhaps his work with the ‘Golden Generation’ of Belgium convinced the Portugal hierarchy that he could do a better job with them. Martinez is understandably delighted at landing the Portugal role.
At his unveiling, Martinez said he was happy to represent one of the most talented teams in the world. He called the Portugal assignment – the project he wanted. Martinez said he understands Portugal has high expectations and goals but also has a large group working to fulfil them.
Martinez led Belgium to a third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup. He inherits a group of talented players. They include Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes, Goncalo Ramos, Bernardo Silva, and the highest goalscorer in men’s international football at his disposal – Cristiano Ronaldo.
