January 10 – It didn’t take Roberto Martinez long to find a new role. The Spaniard has become the third foreign coach to lead Portugal, succeeding Fernando Santos.
On Thursday the 49-year-old was unveiled as the new head coach of the Seleção. Portuguese federation president Fernando Gomes heaped praise on Martinez as a competent international manager, emphasising that semi-finals at major finals are a must.
“From the first time we talked to Roberto Martínez it was clear he fitted the profile we were looking for,” said Gomes. “Obviously we spoke to a lot of people, but the only coach who we made a concrete offer to was Roberto Martínez. We believe Portugal should always be at the decisive moments in tournaments, at least reaching the semi-finals. We will do everything to make sure his time as Portugal coach is a long and happy one.”
Brazilians Otto Gloria and Luiz Felipe Scolari both led Portugal to the semi-finals of the World Cup. They have been the only other foreign coaches in charge of Portugal.
“I don’t believe in systems. I believe in players, in human beings and in talent,” said Martinez at a news conference. “You need to be tactically flexible to get the most out of every player, rather than the players adapting to the system.”
“Portugal must always aim to win and to do that you need to be a modern team, with tactical flexibility. Playing with a 3-man or 4-man defence depends on the players available, and the job for me and my coaching staff will be to get the maximum out of every player.”
At the last World Cup, Portugal reached the last eight of the tournament falling to revelation Morocco 1-0, but Santos, winner of Euro 2016 and the inaugural Nations League, was criticised for not maximizing the potential of the talent at his disposal. Ronaldo was dropped to the bench before returning as a second-half substitute against the Atlas Lions but he could not turn the tide. The future of the Al Nassr player in the national team is uncertain.
“Football decisions have to be made based on what happens on the pitch, not in an office,” said Martinez. “I will contact all the 26 players who were in Portugal’s World Cup squad as my starting point, and Ronaldo is on that list. He has played for the Seleção for 19 years and deserves the respect to sit down and talk.”
Martinez and Belgium, however, endured a far worse campaign in Qatar, departing the World Cup in the group stage. They failed to navigate a group with Canada, Croatia and Morocco, the country’s golden generation exiting the biggest stage via the backdoor. The Spaniard knows that the pressure will be on to deliver in his new role.
“Of course, it’s important to dream big, but we have to take it one step at a time,” said Martinez. “To be European Champions you first have to qualify. To be World Champions you first have to qualify. From then onwards, you have to dream.”
Elsewhere, the Brazilian Sylvinho has been named coach of Albania. He succeeds Edoardo Roja. The former Arsenal player was previously a backroom staff member of Brazil and had spells as manager at Olympique Lyon and Corinthians. He signed a deal until Euro 2024 with Albania facing Poland, the Czech Republic, Moldova and Faroe Islands in qualifying. “We know it is a very balanced and complicated group and we shall aim at qualifying for the Euro finals,” said the Brazilian.
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