The rumors of the last few days came true when Portugal introduced Roberto Martínez as their new head coach. Martínez takes over from Fernando Santos, who left the position after the elimination of Portugal in the World Cup in the quarterfinals.
the next generation
Portugal’s World Cup highlight came in a dominant 6-1 win over Switzerland in the round of 16. The young Goncalo Ramos and Joao Félix ran rampant. The match became a beacon of possibilities for the future of the Portuguese team.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo remained coy about his future with the international team, he accepted a change of pace at club level with his move to Al Nassr. Assuming we don’t see a 41-year-old Ronaldo playing in the next World Cup, now is the time to mold the next generation of Portuguese stars.
Overseeing that next generation of talent is Roberto Martínez, most recently known for his time in an almost identical situation with Belgium.
The so-called “Golden Generation” of Belgian talent was poised for tournament glory. Hazard, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Courtois and more were hoping to bring Belgium’s first major trophy, it was only a matter of time.
After six years of Martinez’s leadership, Belgium won nothing. The highest they climbed was a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup. The other two tournaments were disappointments, to say the least. Belgium capitulated against Italy in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals. Then, at Qatar 2022, the Red Devils surprisingly failed to make it out of a group. Although that group consisted of World Cup semifinalists Morocco and Croatia.
Martínez points to an extended period in which Belgium was the highest ranked team by FIFA. Critics point to the empty trophy case.
Roberto Martínez is not the solution to Portugal’s wishes
As Martínez begins his role as manager of a group of talented and exciting players, it is on the cards to waste another golden generation in a nation with little international success. His time with Belgium ended in a bust, and a group stage exit is well below standard for a team as talented as Belgium.
Portugal does not have the pressure to deliver a first title. It won the European Championship in 2016 before the Nations League in 2019. However, Portugal is arguably the most elite football nation without a World Cup, rivaling a team like the Netherlands for that unwanted crown.
Surely, the Portuguese hierarchy expects Martinez to hand over the famous gold trophy during his tenure in 2026. If his record is anything to go by, it’s unlikely.
PHOTO: IMAGO/Xinhua
