Belgium trainer Roberto Martinez introduced he was once stepping down after six years in price after their World Cup marketing campaign ended with a 0-0 draw right here on Thursday. “That was always the plan then,” stated the Spaniard on the post-match press convention which came about after he had hugged the gamers. “Whenever this project ended, in the group stage or after the final on December 18, I would have stepped down,” stated the 49-year-old trainer on the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
“I look to build things and the time for that here has come to an end,” he stated. “In 2018, we were so eager to participate in the World Cup and we finished with a bronze medal (Belgium beat England 2-0 to finish third in Russia). Then, we felt we had to give it another go. It has been an incredible journey.”
Martinez stated he understood that a large number of folks noticed “legacy” as “winning something” however he did not. “We have done a lot of things with the national team as we would do at a club. There have been over the years a lot of players who are close to 100 international caps or got more. We have had players who have set real standards The real fans in Belgium appreciate what the national team has achieved,” he stated.
He stated Belgium overlooked out on qualification this time as a result of they performed with worry, “listened to the noise outside.” Martinez stated he was once certain had they certified the World Cup would have noticed the “real Belgium.”
Belgium exited after a 1-0 win towards Canada and a 0-2 defeat to Morocco ahead of Thursday’s barren draw towards Croatia.
Under Martinez, who coached Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Everton, Belgium have been the primary staff to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. In 2021, they misplaced to Italy within the quarter-final of the European championships which means {that a} era of proficient gamers ended their reign beneath a trainer with no main name.
His pal and Croatia trainer Zlatko Dalic stated Martinez’s determination left him “surprised.” The Croat trainer stated Martinez have been a “great professional who guided the team to No. 1 in the FIFA rankings.” Belgium have been no. 1 in September 2018 and March 2022.