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.

The 49-year-old Spaniard takes over from Fernando Santos and the most
pressing issue in his in-tray will be to clarify the situation of skipper
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has just signed for Saudi club Al Nassr.

“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.