Belgium name former Everton boss Martinez as new coach

Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been appointed as the Belgium national team’s new head coach, it has been confirmed.

Roberto Martinez

The Royal Belgian Football Association announced the news via their Twitter account on Wednesday night, writing: “Our new head coach: Roberto Martínez ! #welcomeRoberto #tousensemble”.

He replaces Marc Wilmots, who was relieved of his duties as Red Devils manager following Belgium’s exit at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2016. Martinez’s first match in his new role will be against Spain on 1 September.

The Spaniard was sacked by Everton in May after he oversaw a poor end to the season, which left the Toffees languishing in 12th place in the standings.

His final match in charge saw Everton succumb to a 3-0 loss away to Sunderland, who secured their Premier League status with the win, which handed the Toffees their third successive away defeat in the Premier League.

Our new head coach: Roberto Martínez !

#welcomeRoberto #tousensemble

9:06 PM – 3 Aug 2016

BelgianRedDevils

@BelRedDevils

He initially arrived at Goodison Park on a four-year deal in 2013 to much expectation after he led former club, Wigan Athletic, to the FA Cup trophy although he could not keep them in the Premier League.

At Everton, he steered the Toffees to a fifth-placed finish with 72 points in his first season in charge – a club record in the Premier League era – before his second campaign saw Everton end in 11th place.

Things, however, went from bad to worse last season as Everton recorded their worst-ever set of results at home, with eight losses from their 18 matches at Goodison Park, which eventually ended in Martinez leaving the club.