World Cup 2022: Emotional Roberto Martinez steps down as Belgium manager

• Roberto Martínez has confirmed he is no longer Belgium's manager after their World Cup exit
• This comes after the Red Devils failed to progress from the FIFA World Cup Group stages
• Martinez and his side reached the World Cup semis in 2018, losing to eventual winners France

Roberto Martinez has announced that he will step down as Belgium's national team manager.

According to the Spaniard, Thursday's 0-0 draw with Croatia in their closing Group F game was his final match with the European team.

The 49-year-old has been in charge of Belgium since 2016 during which time they came third at the 2018 World Cup.

However, his time has been littered with criticism that he hasn't done enough to get the most of the country's infamous "Golden Generation" with many fans often frustrated at what they deem to be too cautious tactics.

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His contract was due to expire at the end of the World Cup. Speaking in his press conference after the game against Croatia, Martinez disclosed that he will no more manage the team.

"That was my last game with the national team and it was emotional as you can imagine," said Martinez via Euro Sport.

"I was going to stop anyway, whatever happened, even if we had become world champions. I made that decision just before the World Cup."

Martinez's record as Belgium coach

The Spaniard gaffer leaves the Belgium job after 6 years with a 70% win rate, per ESPN.

He recorded 56 wins in 80 games and just 11 losses. Martinez led the European country to a third-place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

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Lukaku's open goal miss

Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku missed a gilt-edge opportunity as Belgium's uninspiring campaign at the 2022 World Cup ended disappointingly.

Belgium crashed out of this year's Mundial following their goalless draw with 2018 finalist Croatia at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Thursday, December 1.

Needing a win and results from the other group game to go in their favour, Belgium had no other option than to secure a win in their do-or-die showdown with Croatia, however, Roberto Martinez's charges failed spectacularly.

Crisis in Belgium camp degenerates

New details continue to emerge over Belgium's uninspiring start to the 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, as Roberto Martinez is struggling to maintain the squad.

Martinez has admitted some issues within the squad, as the Red Devils will bow out if they lose to Croatia.

His big stars have clashed in the dressing room and have made controversial remarks to the media.