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Roberto Martinez has reportedly emerged as a candidate for Portugal’s vacant job, despite having overseen Belgium’s disappointing World Cup campaign in Qatar.
Martinez has been ‘on the radar’ of the Portuguese Football Federation as they search for a new head coach, reported the telegraph.
The Spaniard could be forced to decide between returning to the management of the club or continuing with international football.
Roberto Martinez (pictured) is reportedly a candidate for the vacant Portugal coaching job.
Martínez’s contract with Belgium officially expired at the end of December, after six years in office.
During his time as Belgium’s national coach, Martínez led the nation to its best World Cup result, placing third in Russia in 2018.
Belgium suffered a Euro 2020 quarterfinal exit to eventual champions Italy, before leading the team to the World Cup in Qatar.
Martínez presided over a disappointing campaign with Belgium falling out of the group stage, despite entering the tournament as the second highest ranked team in the world by FIFA.
Martínez stepped down from his role as head coach of Belgium following their disappointing World Cup in Qatar.
Belgium’s World Cup campaign in Qatar was dominated by claims of divisions within the field.
The campaign had been dominated by reports of tension on the pitch, after Kevin De Bruyne suggested his team were “too old” to go all the way.
Defender Jan Vertonghen appeared to respond to the comment after the loss to Morocco, saying: “We probably attack badly too because we are too old, that must be now, right?”
Martinez responded to claims of divisions within the team last month when he revealed that he had informed the players of his decision to leave after the tournament before their final group game against Croatia.
Despite boasting a number of star names, and poor performances on the pitch led to an embarrassing early departure from a highly desired team.
Fernando Santos was dismissed from his position after the elimination of Portugal in the quarterfinals against Morocco
Martínez has been seen by some as an underachiever with his tenure coinciding with the so-called ‘golden generation’ of Belgian talent.
Since taking over, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Dries Mertens, Thibaut Courtois and Thomas Meunier have all been in their prime and standouts.
Martínez said last month that he wanted to rest with his family before deciding his next steps, but admitted that he would be open to talks from January.
The 49-year-old admitted he has specific plans, when asked about a return to management at the club or national team.
Martínez last coached a club when he was in charge of Everton, having previously stinted at Wigan and Swansea in the Premier League.
Since leaving the job in Belgium, Martinez had been linked with Club Brugge work which has since been taken over by Scott Parker, as well as international roles with Mexico and Poland.
A return to Everton has also been discussed, should the struggling Premier League side sack boss under pressure Frank Lampard.
Martinez has been linked with various roles since leaving Belgium’s post last month.
Portugal is among the countries looking for a new post-World Cup manager after parting ways with Fernando Santos, ending an eight-year stint with the national team that saw him win Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019.
However, following Portugal’s quarter-final elimination against Morocco and his decision to bench captain Cristiano Ronaldo for both qualifying games, the Portuguese canceled his spell in charge.
José Mourinho, André Villas-Boas and Paulo Fonseca have all been linked with the role.
If Portugal opts for Martinez as Santos’ successor, it would represent a departure from their usual approach of appointing local or Brazilian coaches.
Brazilians Otto Gloria and Luiz Felipe Scolari are the only non-Portuguese coaches to have held the position.
The Belgian FA is searching for Martinez’s successor, and the organization has published an announcement for his successor.
The announcement said that the FA want to recruit a manager who is “extremely ambitious” and who has “experience in managing top players”.
Martinez’s assistant coach Thierry Henry has reportedly told the Belgian FA that he wants to succeed him as head coach of the national team.