Who is Roberto Martínez, Belgium's head coach for the 2022 World Cup?

Who is Roberto Martínez, Belgium's head coach for the 2022 World Cup?

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:19 PM

Spanish football coach and former professional player Roberto Martnez Montoliu most recently oversaw the Belgian national team. Several people thought Belgium would take home the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, the 2022 FIFA World Cup for Belgium and its manager has ended. Roberto Martinez, the head coach of Belgium, has announced that he will step down after the team's current season.

Roberto Martínez's age
Head coach Roberto Martinez of Belgium during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match between Croatia and Belgium at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on December 1, 2022, in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Tnani Badreddine
Source: Getty Images

He now resides in England, where he played and coached before being hired by Belgium in 2016. In 2020, the Belgian soccer federation elevated him to the position of technical director, giving him expanded managerial responsibilities.

Profile summary

Title

Destination

Full name

Roberto Martínez Montoliu

Gender

Male

Date of birth

13 July 1973

Age

49 years old (as of December 2022)

Zodiac

Cancer

Place of birth

Balaguer, Spain

Nationality

Spanish

Ethnicity

White

Religion

Christianity

Marital status

Married

Spouse

Beth Thompson

Children

2

Profession

Football coach

Management career

2007–2009 Swansea City, 2009–2013 Wigan Athletic, 2013–2016 Everton, 2016–2022 Belgium

Team

Resigned

Social media

n/a

Net worth

$5 million

Roberto Martinez's age

He was born in Balaguer, Spain, on July 13, 1973. He started his career as a defensive midfielder for Real Zaragoza, where he also won the Copa del Rey.

Roberto Martínez's coaching career

Roberto Martínez's coaching career
Swansea City's Samuel Ricketts, Kristian O'Leary, Roberto Martinez and Andy Robinson (L-R) celebrate winning a trophy. Photo: John Walton
Source: Getty Images

The former manager of Swansea City, Wigan, and Everton, has led Belgium as head coach since 2016. Throughout his managerial career, he has favoured a possession-based approach. He still says that Johan Cruyff had the most significant impact on his approach to the game. He has gotten great results from his star-studded Belgium team.

He had previously coached at Wigan. After leading the club to fifth place the previous season, he signed a five-year extension to remain at Goodison Park but was eventually let go due to fans' disapproval of his tactics, two years later.

Is Roberto Martinez leaving Belgium?

Who is Roberto Martinez's wife?
Roberto Martinez, Head Coach of Belgium, applauds the fans after their sides' elimination from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, on December 1st, 2022, in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Michael Steele
Source: Getty Images

Since Belgium was eliminated in the 2022 World Cup group stage, its head coach has decided to step down. He announced his resignation as Belgium's manager after more than six years in command, after they lost to Croatia in their final Group F encounter.

Who is Roberto Martinez's wife?

He is a devoted husband. Scottish citizen, Beth Thompson, is his wife. The couple exchanged vows in Swansea's St. Joseph's Cathedral in June 2009. While playing for Motherwell in Scotland in 2002, he and Beth were introduced to each other, and the rest is history. They now have two daughters, Luella and Safina.

Roberto Martinez's education

He hedged his bets early in his playing career by working toward a degree in physiotherapy, which he ultimately earned while still on the books at Real Zaragoza. Later, he pursued a postgraduate business management diploma from Manchester Metropolitan University.

What has Roberto Martinez won?

What has Roberto Martinez won?
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez (left) celebrates with chairman Dave Whelan while holding the FA Cup trophy after their victory over Manchester City in 2013. Photo: Dave Thompson
Source: Getty Images

The 2022 FIFA World Cup began with Belgium as the second-ranked team in the world. He has managed Belgium since 2016 and is most known for guiding the team to third place at the 2018 World Cup. A bronze medal at the 2018 World Cup, qualification for the UEFA 2021 European Championships, the UEFA 2021 UEFA Nations League Final Four, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, are all part of his impressive resume.

Roberto Martínez's net worth

Although he never signed a major contract during his playing career, he is currently enjoying a multimillion-dollar agreement with Belgium, which he expects to milk until after the 2022 World Cup. His wealth has been estimated at $5 million.

Roberto Martínez's achievements

Roberto Martínez's achievements
Roberto Martinez, manager/head coach of Wigan Athletic, waves to the crowd with the FA Cup trophy in his hand, which they won in 2013. Photo: AMA/Corbis
Source: Getty Images
  • Swansea City

Football League One: 2007–08

  • Wigan Athletic

FA Cup: 2012–13

  • Belgium

FIFA World Cup third place: 2018

  • Individual

FIFA Men's Coach nomination: 2018

Belgian Sports Coach of the Year: 2018

LMA FA Cup Manager of the Year: 2012–13

Premier League Manager of the Month: April 2012

Football League One Manager of the Month: October 2007, December 2007, January 2008.

League One Manager of the Year: 2007–08

After Belgium's elimination in the 2022 World Cup group stage, head coach Roberto Martnez announced his resignation. Belgium’s inability to overcome Croatia in their last Group F match forced him to confirm his retirement after more than six years in command.

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The World Cup is a competition that brings together, people from all walks of life in support of their national team. Click on the link above to find out the 2022 FIFA World Cup dates.

Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.