After six years with the Western European nation, the former Everton and Wigan Athletic coach will move on now his contract is up.
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed his departure from the national team.
The 49-year-old Spaniard announced the decision to both the team and the press after Belgium’s shock World Cup exit on Thursday following a 0-0 draw with Croatia, which left them third in Group F.
“My situation is very clear. This is the end for me,” Martinez said in a press conference after the final whistle.
“Whatever the result of this tournament, I decided before the World Cup. It’s all about the long term. Since 2018, I could have taken many jobs. I don’t resign, it’s just ending like this.”
Roberto Martinez has announced that he will stop as national coach of the Belgian Red Devils. pic.twitter.com/l7EBqiOAeD
— Royal Belgian FA (@RoyalBelgianFA) December 1, 2022
How did Roberto Martinez do in Belgium?
Martinez replaced Marc Wilmots as Belgium manager in August 2016. In a six-year spell, he led the ‘golden generation’ of Belgian talent to 56 wins in 79 games (D13 L10) across all competitions.
Belgium spent four consecutive years ranked as the No.1 national team in FIFA’s World Rankings under Martinez. The Red Devils’ best result was a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup. They even reached the last four of the 2021 Nations League and the quarter-finals in Euro 2020.
Martinez also spent the past four years working as a technical director at the Belgium FA prior to his departure.
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