-
Roberto Martinez confirms his departure from the Belgian national team.
Following the unexpected World Cup elimination of Belgium, Roberto Martinez has announced he will step down as manager of the Red Devils.
Second in the FIFA world rankings when it arrived in Qatar, Belgium was eliminated in the group stage behind Morocco and Croatia. A 0-0 draw with Croatia on Thursday effectively sealed their fate.
Martinez had been evasive about his future after the game, telling reporters that “now is not the moment” to talk about it before subsequently confirming his resignation.
“That was my last game with the national team and it was emotional as you can imagine,” he said.
RELATED:
- Belgium crashes out of 2022 World Cup, after goalless draw, Croatia into round of 16
- Roberto Martinez accuses media of spreading fake news about his squad
- Morocco defeats Canada to top 2022 World Cup Group F.
With players like Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku towards the latter stages of their careers, Belgium’s so-called Golden Generation appears to have come to an end with the team’s elimination from the World Cup.
Martinez emphasized that the Golden Generation was still making a difference off the field even though they might not be playing together for much longer.
“You see players like Youri Tielemans, you’ve got players like Jeremy Doku,” he said.
“The golden generation is doing something that is bringing the next generation on. It’s not only what they’re doing on the pitch. The legacy can be left in many ways.
“Today we are out of a good tournament and now the standards need to carry on rising.”