Andrea Pirlo ‘is interested in the Belgium manager job’ after Roberto Martinez’s departure

Former Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo is interested in the vacant Belgium coaching job, according to reports.

The former Italy international has spent the last six months managing Turkish Super Lig side Fatih Karagümrük following his sacking from the Allianz Stadium in May last year.

And though he only took up his current role in the summer, following the departure of Roberto Martinez as Belgium manager, the Italian has turned his attention to the Red Devils.

Italian coach Andrea Pirlo has emerged as a potential candidate for the vacant role in Belgium

Roberto Martínez resigned as Belgium coach after their disappointing World Cup

According to the Dutch medium H.L.Pirlo is one of the coaches currently interested in succeeding Martinez as Belgium’s coach.

In recent weeks, coaches have been able to send their résumés to Belgium bosses, given the vacant position, and Pirlo was one of the coaches to do so.

However, the criteria set by the board for their new coach include being a serial winner, international experience, a people manager and a tactical expert.

There are concerns that Pirlo will not be a ‘serial winner’ after his failed spell with Juventus and dismal start in Turkey, with Fatih Karagümrük currently 10th in the league.

Belgium’s bosses will meet on Friday to discuss the currently available candidates, with the intention of making an announcement about their new coach later this month.

Pirlo has been in charge of the Turkish Super Lig team Fatih Karagümrük since the summer.

The 43-year-old was sacked from his job at Juventus after a series of poor results in 2021

According to the same outlet, Belgium’s current assistant coach, Thierry Henry, has also become one of the main candidates to succeed Martinez, who was recently appointed Portugal’s new coach.

Henry began working with the Red Devils in 2016, but went on to carve out his own attempts at managerial careers with Monaco and the Montreal Impact. After unsuccessful seasons there, he returned as Belgium’s assistant in 2021.

The same outlet claims that international players such as Toby Alderweireld and Romelu Lukaku have backed the Frenchman as “the ultimate solution” to Belgium’s problems.

Belgium assistant coach Thierry Henry has also emerged as a candidate for the coaching job.

It was announced on Monday that former Belgium coach Martinez would take over as coach in Portugal, following the departure of Fernando Santos.

Martínez himself had a World Cup to forget with Belgium, who failed to even make it past the group stage and also had a crisis within the team, with the Spaniard criticized for struggling to make the most of his talented group during his six years. holding with the side.

On his new appointment, Martínez said: ‘I am very excited to be here. I am very happy to represent one of the most talented teams in the world.’

Former Belgium coach Roberto Martínez has been appointed Portugal’s new coach