Belgium Retain Martinez As Manager Despite EURO 2020 ‘Failure’
Belgium have decided to stick with manager Roberto Martinez despite their disappointing exit at EURO 2020.
The world’s number one ranked national team came into the tournament as huge favourites but their golden generation once again flattered to deceive.
Despite winning all three group stage games and dumping defending champions Portugal out in the round of 16 stage, Belgium fell to a 2-1 defeat to Italy in the quarterfinals last Friday.
Former Wigan Athletic and Everton manager Martinez has been in charge of the Red Devils since August 2016 and has a contract until after next year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Belgium FA CEO Peter Bossaert has described their quarterfinal exit as a ‘failure’ but has backed Martinez to fulfill the rest of his contract.
Asked if Martinez will remain at the helm, he told HLN: "Yes. He has a contract until the end of the World Cup [in Qatar next year].
"We are already together on Monday for the international matches in September and the Nations League final. I'm not afraid he'll leave. Normally he stays.”
"The result is disappointing, so you can call it a failure," he added. "I fully understand that. We didn't realise what we were working for.
"That's the cruel side of top football. If you lose in the KO phase, you don't have a chance to make amends."
