After Roberto Martinez's underwhelming World Cup performance, the Royal Belgian FA posted an online ad seeking his replacement.
Belgium was the second-ranked team in the world when it entered Qatar 2022, however they were ousted in the group stage after losing all three of their games. After serving as the team's head coach for six years, Martinez quit after December 1's scoreless tie with Croatia, which sealed their elimination from the competition. Having published a formal job posting online, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has not wasted any time looking for a new manager for the national team.
According to the job advertising on their website, the Royal Belgian FA is seeking a full-time national team coach who understands how to win. The new national team coach is very aspirational and possesses the essential high-level international experience, football tactical expertise and insights, and the requisite personal qualities.
“He is a serial winner with experience in managing top players. He knows how to focus on creating a close-knit group and how to integrate young players. The football association is looking for a tactical expert who supports his choices with data, technology and objective parameters and draws on RBFA’s sporting expertise and structure.”
The national team’s poor showing in Qatar 2022 has been seen as a squandered opportunity, as it was the last international event in which Belgium could field a side with members of the famed ‘Golden Generation.’ During Martinez’s tenure, the Red Devils could not bring home any major silverware, getting the closest at the 2018 World Cup, where they placed third.
The Belgian national team’s sights will soon be set on the Euro 2024 qualifiers, starting with a March 24 meeting against Sweden in Stockholm.