By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 10, 2023
Roberto Martinez was named as the new coach of Portugal on Monday, having stepped down as Belgium coach after their elimination from the World Cup in Qatar in the group stage.
“My point of departure will be the squad of 26 players who played in the World Cup, and Cristiano Ronaldo is one of them,” Martinez told a press conference.
Martinez added that he would make his decisions “on the pitch and not in an office”.
Martinez, who cut his managerial teeth at Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Everton, took over as Belgium coach in 2016, leading the side to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
Under his leadership, Belgium were top of the FIFA world rankings for more than three years.
But his time with the Red Devils came unstuck in Qatar, where they overcame Canada 1-0, but were then beaten 2-0 by Morocco before a goaless draw with Croatia ensured an early departure.
Portugal had Santos at the helm for eight years and the 68-year-old led the team to their first ever international titles: the 2016 European Championship and the inaugural 2019 Nations League.
Santos quit as coach five days after Portugal exited the World Cup at the quarter-final stage.
Source Punch Ng
Posted January 10, 2023
You may also like...
How Arsenal can win Premier League
NWFL player Ihotu regains freedom after N1.5m ransom
Onyeka doubtful for Bristol clash
D’Tigers drop to 53rd in world rankings
Commonwealth Games: Nigeria’s boxing trials final hold today
Don’t compare Itauma to Tyson — Lewis
Enyimba will bounce back – Awazie
128 boxers battle for 10 slots at 2026 C’wealth Games
Orbih returns for third stint as Nigeria badminton boss
Customs, Vipers shine at Ghana volleyball champs
Wheelchair basketball camp opens ahead C’Wealth Games qualifiers
Abinusawa wins double Ivy conference gold
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,592 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,916 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,825 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,448 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,364 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,278 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,153 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,696 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,867 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,387 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,779 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,255 views)