- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,195,716
- Reaction score
- 59
Cristiano Ronaldo was not the only one saying goodbye July 6.
Portugal's 1-0 loss to Spain in the round of 16 ended Ronaldo's World Cup career, and within minutes, it cost the team its coach too. Roberto Martinez stepped down after the loss in Arlington, Texas, telling reporters his run was finished, Reuters reported.
Mikel Merino's late goal sent Spain to the quarterfinals and sent Portugal home. Martinez did not wait to make his decision public. He called the loss the end of a cycle and said there was no reason to continue without the trophy he was hired to win.
"I came to Portugal to win the World Cup," Martinez said.
Martinez said his contract expired that day and that Portugal's football leadership should now choose his replacement. The board and the federation president would make the call, he said, and there was little left to add. No final decision had been made before the tournament, he said, but the Spain match turned out to be his last in charge.
Portugal stood up to one of the tournament favorites, but could not punch its way through. Martinez praised his team for defending well and playing with aggression, but the round of 16 came down to small details, he said.
Martinez took charge of Portugal in 2023 after managing Belgium, and previously coached Everton, Wigan and Swansea. He led Portugal to a Nations League title but went out in the quarterfinals at Euro 2024. The Portuguese Football Federation is not only looking for a new generational star, but also a coach.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup exit costs Portugal both Ronaldo and coach
Continue reading...
Portugal's 1-0 loss to Spain in the round of 16 ended Ronaldo's World Cup career, and within minutes, it cost the team its coach too. Roberto Martinez stepped down after the loss in Arlington, Texas, telling reporters his run was finished, Reuters reported.
Mikel Merino's late goal sent Spain to the quarterfinals and sent Portugal home. Martinez did not wait to make his decision public. He called the loss the end of a cycle and said there was no reason to continue without the trophy he was hired to win.
"I came to Portugal to win the World Cup," Martinez said.
Martinez said his contract expired that day and that Portugal's football leadership should now choose his replacement. The board and the federation president would make the call, he said, and there was little left to add. No final decision had been made before the tournament, he said, but the Spain match turned out to be his last in charge.
Portugal stood up to one of the tournament favorites, but could not punch its way through. Martinez praised his team for defending well and playing with aggression, but the round of 16 came down to small details, he said.
Martinez took charge of Portugal in 2023 after managing Belgium, and previously coached Everton, Wigan and Swansea. He led Portugal to a Nations League title but went out in the quarterfinals at Euro 2024. The Portuguese Football Federation is not only looking for a new generational star, but also a coach.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup exit costs Portugal both Ronaldo and coach
Continue reading...
