Roberto Martinez named Portugal manager as he lands new job just a month after Belgium exit | The Sun

ROBERTO MARTINEZ has been named Portugal manager just a month after leaving Belgium.

The 2016 European Championship winners parted ways with Fernando Santos after being dumped out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals.

Similarly, Martinez walked out on his role as Belgium manager following their group stage elimination in Qatar.

But within a month, the ex-Everton boss has returned to international management after accepting the Portugal job.

Martinez took the Belgium role in 2016 after three successful years with Everton.

He led them to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup before they were beaten by champions France.

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They were then also eliminated by the eventual winners Italy at the Euros in 2021.

But last year's winter World Cup was a terrible disappointment for Martinez and the Belgium squad.

They failed to get out of their group after managing just four points from games against Canada, Morocco and Croatia.

Martinez then left following the tournament as his contract had expired.

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Club sides were said to have been interested in him, including a rumoured return to Everton.

But it is Portugal which tempted Martinez the most, signing on ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany.

Although it remains to be seen whether captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be part of Martinez's plan.

Ronaldo, 37, was dropped for Portugal's last 16 and quarter-final matches and exited the World Cup in tears.

He left Manchester United during the tournament and has since joined Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr.


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