LISBON: Portugal appointed former Belgium coach Roberto Martinez as the new manager on Monday and the Spaniard said he would sit down with Cristiano Ronaldo to discuss his future at the team.
Martinez, 49, replaces Fernando Santos, who left his job after Portugal suffered a shock loss to Morocco in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
“I appreciate the enthusiasm and ambition with which he (Martinez) received the invitation,” the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president said. Fernando Gomes said at a press conference that Martinez stood next to him.
“It’s an important moment for the national team,” he said.
Martinez resigned as Belgium coach after they exited the World Cup group stage, saying he made the decision to end his six-year tenure some time ago and that he would have left even if they had been crowned champions.
It ended a long tenure in charge of the team in which he took them to first place in the world rankings and third place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“I’m thrilled to be able to represent one of the most talented teams in the world,” Martinez said. “I understand that there are great expectations… but I also understand that there is a very great team (at the FFF)… and together we will achieve our goals.”
Santos, 68, who has been widely criticized for his tactics and for leaving striker Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for two consecutive World Cup games, became Portugal manager in 2014 and led the country to 109 appearances.
They won the European Championship in 2016 and the first UEFA Nations League in 2018-19.
Asked about Ronaldo’s future in the national team, Martinez said he would contact the 37-year-old, who joined Saudi club Al Nassr last month on a 2.5-year contract.
“I want to contact the 26 players who took part in the last World Cup… Cristiano is a player on this list,” he said, adding that he would “sit and talk” with the striker , who is his country’s all-time striker. top scorer with 118 goals.
Martinez, 49, replaces Fernando Santos, who left his job after Portugal suffered a shock loss to Morocco in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
“I appreciate the enthusiasm and ambition with which he (Martinez) received the invitation,” the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president said. Fernando Gomes said at a press conference that Martinez stood next to him.
“It’s an important moment for the national team,” he said.
Martinez resigned as Belgium coach after they exited the World Cup group stage, saying he made the decision to end his six-year tenure some time ago and that he would have left even if they had been crowned champions.
It ended a long tenure in charge of the team in which he took them to first place in the world rankings and third place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“I’m thrilled to be able to represent one of the most talented teams in the world,” Martinez said. “I understand that there are great expectations… but I also understand that there is a very great team (at the FFF)… and together we will achieve our goals.”
Santos, 68, who has been widely criticized for his tactics and for leaving striker Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for two consecutive World Cup games, became Portugal manager in 2014 and led the country to 109 appearances.
They won the European Championship in 2016 and the first UEFA Nations League in 2018-19.
Asked about Ronaldo’s future in the national team, Martinez said he would contact the 37-year-old, who joined Saudi club Al Nassr last month on a 2.5-year contract.
“I want to contact the 26 players who took part in the last World Cup… Cristiano is a player on this list,” he said, adding that he would “sit and talk” with the striker , who is his country’s all-time striker. top scorer with 118 goals.
