(Football news) Roberto Martinez has said that his contract as Belgium manager will not be renewed after the team crashed out of the Group Stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He previously guided Belgium to their best ever World Cup finish in 2018 when the team finished third and ended the tournament as top scorers. However, the ‘golden generation’ comprising Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard simply haven’t performed to their potential this time around, resulting in their early elimination.
Belgium were knocked out of the quarter-finals by Italy at Euro 2020 and despite being ranked 2nd with expectations at an all time high, they lost to Morocco and drew to Croatia, resulting in their earliest elimination from a World Cup since 1998. The defeat against Morocco sent shockwaves in the country with riots in Brussels and Antwerp, forcing the police to seal off parts of the city. There were also reports of in-fighting amongst the squad with Kevin de Bruyne and Jan Vertonghen having a heated on-field exchange and the Manchester City midfielder publicly dismissing Belgium’s chances, saying they were “too old”.
\”Yes, that was my last game. It has been six years. I arrived with the clear idea of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. Then we became so engaged with the project and won a bronze medal. I\’m so proud of these players. It has been amazing. It has been six years where we\’ve been able to do everything you want to do. The team has played and given people real joy. But this is the time for me to accept [it is over]. I don\’t resign. It\’s the end of my contract. Since 2018 I have had many opportunities to leave and take jobs at club level, but I wanted to stay loyal.\”
Roberto Martinez
\”We are extremely disappointed after the early exit of our national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar because we have failed and thereby let down the people of Belgium who supported our team all the way through. An era and a cycle have come to an end. Today the ways of our coach Roberto Martinez and the Royal Belgian FA will part. We are very grateful and proud that we have worked with Roberto Martinez for more than six years.\”
Statement by Belgian FA
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