Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been confirmed as the new boss of the Portugal national team.
Martinez was recently in the post as head coach of Belgium, and guided them to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, after the country exited the competition at the group stage the former Blues boss left his job.
The 49-year-old had been in charge of Belgium’s national team since 2016, and had taken them to three major tournaments including two World Cups. Now, just a few weeks after his exit, Martinez has a new job.
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The Federation of Portuguese Football (FPF) have announced that Martinez will be the new manager of the country’s national team. He replaces Fernando Santos, who also left after the World Cup and had been in charge since 2014.
Martinez has not been involved in club football since he was dismissed as Everton boss in 2016. The Spaniard had been in charge at Goodison Park for three years, and had earnt a fifth-place finish in the 2013/14 season.
During his time at Everton he also oversaw the Blues achieve their highest points total in the Premier League. He would leave the club in May 2016, and would then take charge of Belgium’s national team a few weeks later.
Martinez had been linked with a return to Goodison in recent weeks as Frank Lampard comes under increasing pressure as manager, but confirmation of his new role with Portugal rules out one potential candidate should the Blues board look to change approach.
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