Roberto Martinez’s career with Portugal reads like one big déjà vu. With 18 out of 18 in the European Championship qualifications, the eternal gentleman immediately took over the Portuguese. But in Belgium we now know how that memory ends. Only EURO 2024 seems to be able to save Martinez from the same outcome, or old corpses are in danger of falling out of the closet.
Wherever he goes, Roberto Martínez remains the king of the qualifiers.
After leaving Belgium through the back gate, he started the qualifying round for the 2024 European Championship flawlessly as national coach of Portugal with 18 out of 18. The Portuguese national team has never done better.
Does the scenario sound familiar?
Martinez is simply not ready for his test piece. He also became the record holder in our country when the Devils qualified for EURO 2020 with a staggering 30 out of 30.
Previously there were also the 28 out of 30 for the 2018 World Cup and the 20 out of 24 for the 2022 World Cup.
You have to hand it to him: when it came to qualifying campaigns, Martinez did not disappoint.
Martinez urges his troops on in Russia.
The similarities with the current situation are striking, but they also go further than the results.
Just as after his appointment here, he completely conquered the Portuguese in no time. “He has created a positive vibe for us again: inside and outside the team,” explains André Zeferino, football journalist at the Portuguese Record.
“Under Santos there was wear and tear among the players and supporters. Martinez has completely changed that atmosphere. You feel the connection among the players and fans again when you are in the Cidade do Futebol.”
Recognizable, right?
When he was appointed, he even took the time to speak to each journalist individually.
André Zeferino
Do you remember how things went for us? Martinez ensured the unification of Belgium better than any other politician.
He quickly forged a real Belgian team again. Martinez rallied behind his stars, the stars rallied behind him. Which ultimately led to performances that collectively exploded festival grounds and large markets across our country.
The fact that he could also explain it well only helped his case further. Everyone seemed to believe him.
“He is very open in terms of communication and accessible to the press. When he was appointed, he even took the time to speak to each journalist individually. Not many coaches do that and it is very important here,” the story now sounds from Portugal.
Fight against the past
So the eternal gentleman is currently doing what he does best: managing people.
Even with the big elephant in the dressing room at Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo.
“When he was appointed, the Ronaldo case caused a lot of doubt: will he end his international career or will he still take him with him despite his age and stay in Saudi Arabia?”
“It became the second. For the time being, the two seem to be getting along well: Martinez manages his ego for the benefit of the team,” Zeferino said.
At first glance, there’s nothing wrong with it, right?
And yet the Spaniard must be careful not to fall into old sins. He has had a tendency to drag former Real Madrid number seven around for too long. Which would ultimately cost him dearly.
A first sign on the wall?
Martinez and Ronaldo shake hands.
After all, there is a big difference between people pleasing and people management.
In Belgium, the perception around Martinez completely changed as time went on. His strengths were gradually seen as his Achilles heel, with the case of Eden Hazard as a catalyst.
Where he first took his stars by the hand in Belgium, just like now with Ronaldo, he later did not dare to let them go. Which was detrimental to his selections.
“For example, criticism has recently surfaced about his selections, which are always based on the same players. “Boys who are in shape – such as Paulinho or Peto (Pedro Gonçalves) – are not taken into account,” Zeferino draws a parallel.
So far he has not hesitated to take responsibility.
André Zeferino
And while in Belgium he was first constructive in his interviews, he later fell into false positivism. Which in turn was disastrous for his credibility.
“But so far he has not hesitated to take responsibility in the media. He already spoke openly that he wanted to become European champion, always gives an honest explanation for a non-selection and when we did not play well, he always pointed it out,” said Zeferino
Aha, an added bonus for Martinez 2.0, although it is of course easier to be critical when you are undefeated.
“True leadership shows itself in crisis situations, of course. And the national coach in Portugal has not yet had that. We’ll have to wait and see how he reacts. Just as we will have to wait and see whether he dares to deviate from his selection in the coming months,” Zeferino also realizes.
EURO 2024
There is only one factor that could really change the perception around Martinez: that one big prize. The gaping hole in his career as a national coach.
“We saw what happened in Belgium: you played well and attractively, but the main prize was never in the cards. That was the biggest doubt everyone here had about Martinez’s appointment. Football does not live on moral victories, but on trophies. Portuguese football for sure.”
“So far he has delivered a five-star performance for us, but only after the European Championship will the people make their judgement: then he will either be hated or loved here,” said Portugal.
At first glance, there is a similar recipe for disaster ready for Roberto Martinez. If EURO 2024 does not work out, he will be judged for the same things again.
You will never really change Martinez. He has apparently already refined his way of communicating, but whether he can also renew himself as a selection master, to (finally) shake off the yoke of only being a people pleaser, remains to be seen.
Because a less eloquent person like the national coach once said: talk doesn’t fill holes.
And certainly not in a trophy case.
2023-10-13 04:13:24
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