Martinez new Belgium head coach

[Black Belt Jones]

This is so obviously true.

Since then 'El Gaffer' has won every game expected, plus one good win against Brazil, but was hopelessly outwitted by Deschamps in the biggest game of his career, and then was held to a draw by Ronald Koeman's Dutch team.

I won't even mention that other international managerial giant, Southgate.

To be fair to El Gaffer - his tactics of throwing Feli up top and hoofing it long certainly won the day against Japan, a famous victory. Don't understand why this didn't work against France, though? Get in the mixer Feli lad, Eden, Kev - send it long.

 

[BigMick]

....except one reached the WC SFs and the other was sacked before the tournament.

As you say "almost identical".

It's over...the war....you lost.

That response is, as Old Walter used to say, 'disappointing'. You are surely aware that the only reason he was sacked is because Madrid were daft enough to appoint him on the strength of his record as Spain manager. You can do better than that!

 

[MikeH72]

What’s going on with him to Real Madrid? Anything?

 

[BigMick]

Nothing.

Even Madrid, who make some weird appointments, are not so stupid to appoint someone on the strength of easy wins with an international team after having made that mistake with Lopetegui, who's record with Spain was superior to 'El Gaffer's'.

 

[Blackwell Livermore]

Martinez and Koeman have found both found their levels. Good luck to them. And if either makes a decision to return to club football on the backs of their current successes, their careers will be obliterated.

 

[goodisonopheliac]

Martinez would be mad to leave Belgium. He's got it made there.

 

[davek]

Martinez and Koeman have found both found their levels. Good luck to them. And if either makes a decision to return to club football on the backs of their current successes, their careers will be obliterated.

FIFA world short-listed coach of the year and World Cup semi-finalist level.

 

[Thomasc]

Martinez and Koeman have found both found their levels. Good luck to them. And if either makes a decision to return to club football on the backs of their current successes, their careers will be obliterated.

Managing a squad as talented as Belgium is surely a bit of a walk in the park. Can't believe players as talented as they have are going to need much coaching from this clown and Grahame Jones lol

Maybe that is why Real have considered him to maybe just manage and organise and come out with media friendly sound bites, which lets be honest is what he seems to be about. .

 

[davek]

Belgium under Martinez:

Lost 2 games out of 32 played. Won 24 of them (75% win rate)

Scored 92 goals, conceded 25 - averages almost a 4-1 scoreline in Belgium's favour each game.

Best ever non-losing streak in Belgium's history; best ever tournament performance in Belgium's history.


Dwindling band of forum critics football achievements = Nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada. Nowt.

 

[PITA]

The only war on here is in daveks own head....lollollollollol

His head is big enough to accommodate a battle.

 

[summerisle]

Martinez would be mad to leave Belgium. He's got it made there.

When's the vote ?

 

[Goat]

Belgium under Martinez:

Lost 2 games out of 32 played. Won 24 of them (75% win rate)

Scored 92 goals, conceded 25 - averages almost a 4-1 scoreline in Belgium's favour each game.

Best ever non-losing streak in Belgium's history; best ever tournament performance in Belgium's history.


Dwindling band of forum critics football achievements = Nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada. Nowt.

Gareth Southgate got to a World cup Semi Final, some no mark Croat got to the final.

International football has never and will never be a benchmark.

Ronald Koeman just beat the World champions.

 

[goodisonopheliac]

Managing a squad as talented as Belgium is surely a bit of a walk in the park. Can't believe players as talented as they have are going to need much coaching from this clown and Grahame Jones lol

Maybe that is why Real have considered him to maybe just manage and organise and come out with media friendly sound bites, which lets be honest is what he seems to be about. .

Jones doesn't work for Belgium anymore.

 

[davek]

Gareth Southgate got to a World cup Semi Final, some no mark Croat got to the final.

International football has never and will never be a benchmark.

Ronald Koeman just beat the World champions.

Gareth Southgate played hoofball and rode his luck against a gang of South American bandits, Swedish no marks and Tunisian waiters. Roberto had to put that lot AND the tournament hosts and tournament favourites to the sword...only to be denied by the eventual winners who parked the bus against his team...and he also smashed Turnip Southgate's hoofballers twice for good measure.

 

[Black Belt Jones]

Martinez would be mad to leave Belgium. He's got it made there.

He's on minimum wage, though, in European football manager terms. I think we can all agree this is deeply appropriate, but it won't be sitting well with a Tory like Roberto.

One canny option for El Gaffer could be Qatar. They're under huge pressure to field a non-joke team for their jarg World Cup in 2022 - very rare for the host nation to fail to make it out of the group. The current encumbent, Sanchez-Bas, is probably their best shot of doing this as he's worked in the country for years and is pulling things together - his squad beat Switzerland last week which was a huge result. He's not well-known, though, and Qatar have rinsed through managers on a yearly basis - guarantee they will bring in a bigger name for the WC. Blerto would get to take his weekly salary home in a wheelbarrow, and probably only have to win one game.