Roberto Martinez

Martinez replaces Fernando Santos, who left his job after Portugal suffered a shock defeat to Morocco in the World Cup.

“I want to contact all 26 players who were at the last World Cup … but I also understand there is a very large team [at the FFF] … “I understand there are great expectations …

Former Belgium and Everton manager Roberto Martinez is named Portugal head coach following Fernando Santos' departure.

"I am very excited to be here. Martinez said: "My point of departure will be the squad of 26 players who played in the World Cup, and Cristiano Ronaldo is one of them." Appointed Belgium coach in 2016, he led them to the top of the Fifa rankings in 2018 after they came third at the World Cup in Russia. "I am very happy to represent one of the national teams with the best talent in the world," said Martinez. [resigned](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63992921) after Portugal's quarter-final defeat by Morocco at the World Cup last month. [stood down](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63827136) as Belgium coach after six years in charge following their group-stage exit in Qatar.

The Spaniard succeeds Fernando Santos after leaving his post as Belgium manager following the 2022 World Cup.

At the presentation ceremony of the new National Squad in Cidade do Futebol, the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernando Gomes, welcomed the new coach and highlighted his competence. The high point of Martinez’s time in international football came when Belgium finished third at the 2018 World Cup, beating England in the third-place play-off in Russia. [Jack Rathborn](/author/jack-rathborn) Comments [Portugal](/topic/portugal) have confirmed the appointment of [Roberto Martinez](/topic/roberto-martinez) as new national team manager.

Former Belgium boss Martinez succeeds Fernando Santos, who left the role after eight years in charge after the World Cup last month.

Speaking at a press conference, Martinez said: “I am very excited to be here. “I understand there are great expectations and big objectives, but there is a great team of people at the federation and I have great excitement that together we can achieve those objectives.” A tweet from the Portuguese Football Federation read: “A new leader at the service of Portugal – welcome Mr Roberto Martinez.”

The former Belgium manager took charge of the Red Devils for six years from 2016 to 2022 over which period he took the country to third in the 2018 World ...

We are going to give all the players an opportunity and respect all those who are already in the selection. "We are going to start a footballing process to try to get to know all the players that could be part of this selection. It's a process that we have to face naturally, with responsibility, and we're going to make important decisions for the team". I want to meet everyone, and starting today I want to talk and get to know all the players. Cristiano is part of that list, he spent 19 years with the national team and deserves respect, let's talk. [Mbappe and Real Madrid launch staunch defence of Zidane after Le Graet comments](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/kylian-mbappe-and-real-madrid-launch-staunch-defence-of-zinedine-zidane-after-noel-le-graet-comments_sto9308573/story.shtml) [Transfer news live - Arsenal want Balde, Weghorst to Man Utd latest] [Pressure?

Ronaldo was dropped by Fernando Santos for Portugal's knockout clashes in Qatar, but the ex-Belgium coach insisted that he was a player he was keen to ...

It's a process that we have to face naturally, with responsibility, and we're going to make important decisions for the team.' Martinez inherits a side in flux. I hope to contact all the players. 'I don't make decisions in the office. but insists the 37-year-old will be given 'opportunity and respect' [Roberto Martinez was announced as the new manager of Portugal on Monday](/sport/football/article-11614701/Portugal-appoint-Roberto-Martinez-new-coach-sacking-Fernando-Santos.html)