Roberto Martinez has reached a verbal agreement to become the new head coach of Portugal’s national team.
The appointment of the 49-year-old Spaniard is on course to be finalised by the end of next week.
Martinez, who has received interest from elsewhere in club and international football, is a free agent having left his role as Belgium head coach after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Belgium exited the tournament at the group stage after finishing behind Morocco and Croatia.
Martinez had managed Belgium since August 2016, leading the country to a third place finish at the 2018 World Cup and to the quarter-final stage of the delayed Euro 2020.
The former Everton manager is set to take over a Portugal side which reached the quarter-final stage of last year’s World Cup.
Fernando Santos left his role after an eight-year stint with Portugal after their exit at the hands of Morocco.
Portugal are ranked ninth in FIFA’s world rankings and boast the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
Martinez said after he left his role with Belgium: “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 the bronze medal. I’m so proud of these players.
“It has been amazing. Six years where we’ve been able to do everything you want to do … (and) the team has played has given people real joy. But this is the time for me to accept (it is over).”
Martinez also stated that he had decided to leave his role regardless of how Belgium performed at the World Cup.
“I don’t resign. It’s the end of my contract,” he said. “Since 2018 I had many opportunities to leave and take jobs at club level, but I wanted to stay loyal.”
Fernando Santos has left his role with Portugal and the Portuguese Federation has entered talks to convince Martínez to take over, according to The Athletic. Negotiations have entered the final phase and Martínez has already reached a verbal agreement to take charge of Portugal, which could be made official within the next week.
Martínez took Belgium to third place at the 2018 World Cup and they reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 for the fourth time in their history. Since 2018, he has also held the position of sporting director of the federation and set himself the main objective of building a legacy in terms of organisation and structure, which he has achieved. He left his position as head coach after 79 matches with a record of 56 wins, 13 draws and 10 defeats.
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