MX23RW : Thursday, February 13 17:03:52| >> :600:6767067:6767067:

Roberto Martinez "honoured" to be named new Belgium boss

Former Everton boss Roberto Martinez intends to make new side Belgium "more attractive" after taking up his first position in international management.

Roberto Martinez has targeted a "special journey" with his new Belgium squad after swapping club management for a stint in the international game.

The Spaniard surprised many when taking up the job left vacant by Marc Wilmots, who departed following a disappointing Euro 2016 showing last month.

Martinez, who has spent his nine years as a manager to date in English football, claims that he will bring his own style of play in order to take second-in-the-world Belgium up another level on the big stage.

"I felt this was a great opportunity, a great challenge, and I'm thankful to the Belgian FA," The Guardian quotes him as saying. "I've been working with Belgian players and I've been intrigued by Belgian football, the talent of the Belgium players is there to be seen.

"I'm humbled, proud, honoured to be the head coach of Belgium as a country. It will be a special journey together, to support these players that have got the world at their feet.

"My style is very clear and it goes along with this Belgian team. We will always work to be on the ball and be an attacking team but you have to be able to defend. We want to play attractive football but we have to win."

Martinez had been among the frontrunners to take over at Hull City, having been sacked by Everton at the end of last season following a poor run of form.

ID:278165: cacheID:278165:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2522:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Roberto Martinez watches on during the Premier League game between Everton and West Ham United on March 5, 2016
Read Next:
Belgium appoint Roberto Martinez as head coach
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool24176158233557
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15Everton246992530-527
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!