Is Roberto Martinez the right man for Portugal?

The former Belgium manager stepped down from the job after the FIFA World Cup 2022

After 8 long years and a glorious Euro Cup win in 2016, Coach Fernando Santos association with Portugal has finally ended. Portugal Football Federation on Monday evening announced Roberto Martinez as their new coach. Martinez has left the Belgium job after team’s group stage exit in FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Belgium surprisingly was knocked out from group stage from the World Cup.  Now the Spaniard will take over from Santos, who resigned after the Potugal’s shocking loss against Morocco in World Cup quarter final.

Under the guidance of Fernando Santos Portugal won UEFA Euro Championship in 2016 by defeating French in the finals and also Nations League in 2019. Santos career as a manager has been prolific with the Portuguese team, yet they have not been able to show their class in FIFA World Cup. Now with Martinez taking over Portugal’s quest for a World Cup will continue. Martinez’s announcement as a coach has put forward few reservations. Question marks have been raised with his appointment as a coach. Is he the right man for this job?

Failure as a Belgium Coach!

These questions have been raised due to Martinez’s failure as Belgium coach. With the quality of squad Belgium had under him, yet he has not managed to win any big Championship has raised doubts over his ability. Under Martinez Belgium had a once in a lifetime kind squad, a Golden generation of players like Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and few more. Yet this team failed to win either a Euro or World Cup. The disappointment was there due to no exceptional tactics, or a strategy to pull off magical performances. Martinez has been credited for the disappointment Belgium has faced in previous three big events.

Challenge of Managing Ronaldo

There is another issue prevailing in Portugal camp, handling of Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo had a poor 2022 and was subbed even by his most liked manager Fernando Santos against Switzerland in World Cup round of 16. Under Martinez some disciplinary issues and leaks were reported in media. This made Martinez’s position as manager questionable in handling such situations. Ronaldo have few years left in his International Career. He might be looking to retire after next Euro Championship. Martinez’s another challenge will be managing Ronaldo in Portugal.

A team with High expectations

Portugal was not a team with stars, there were players who have risen for the occasions. Like in Euro Cup final 2016 when both France and Portugal were fighting to bag championship in Extra time it was Eder who scored for Portugal and won them their first ever big title. Martinez not being able to win any title with star studded Belgium has huge expectations under his name as a new Portugal manager.

Portugal’s Golden Generation

Robert Martinez had a 6 year long term with Belgium. Belgium in every tournament was considered among top most favourite. Yet, they failed to touch the trophy in each and every tournament they took part. Current Portugal team has players with good reputation and good experience. This team is expected to be better with young and upcoming players like Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix and few others. Martinez has the same situation with Belgium yet he failed to capitalise with his strategies. Now another challenge awaits him as a coach of Portugal. He has 18-20 months till next Euro, if this generation of Portugal creates history under Martinez he will shake off all these doubts.