The former Everton and Belgium boss has very quickly found a new role after leaving his job with the latter after the World Cup but already appears to have stumbled into a significant problem with Cristiano Ronaldo
Roberto Martinez has a Cristiano Ronaldo-sized problem to solve after being confirmed as the new Portugal manager.
The Spaniard was a free agent after leaving his role as Belgium boss following a miserable World Cup campaign that saw a group stage exit, and duly meant he did not have his contract renewed.
He has now been announced as the new manager of the Seleccao, with his predecessor Fernando Santos sacked after the 2016 European champions were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Morocco.
Martinez was unveiled during a press conference on Monday after putting pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
He said: “I’m very happy to be here, I’m delighted to be able to represent one of the most talented teams in the world. It is the project I wanted. I understand that there are high expectations and goals, but I also understand that there is a large group of people working to fulfil our goals.”
Portugal FA president Fernando Gomes said: “Roberto Martinez’s path speaks for itself. He was born in Spain and as a player he developed in England. As a coach, he has built a career based on the permanent acquisition of skills and work.
“Six seasons ago he had the opportunity to start managing Belgium, a team that placed him at number 1 in the world ranking for several years and that made him a team capable of fighting any opponent, for all titles. In the first conversation with Robert Martinez it was immediately clear that he was facing a coach who fit the profile drawn.
“He, like us at the FPF, believes that Portugal can and should always be in the decision of major competitions. And being in the final means, at least, accessing the semi-finals. In any test.
Upon his arrival, Martinez has a major conundrum to solve with regards the future of Ronaldo. Ronaldo currently holds the record for the most appearances in Selecao history, whilst he is also the nation’s record.
Mirror