The Royal Belgian Football Association, football governing body in Belgium, thanked this Thursday for the “immense legacy” left by the Spanish Roberto Martínez, who resigned today as coach of the Belgian team after being eliminated from the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
“With his team, Roberto left an immense legacy for the next generations of Belgian football“Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) director general Peter Bossaert said in a statement.
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The RBFA did not hide its disappointment at the elimination of the “red devils” after losing today against Croatia.
“We are very disappointed after the early elimination of our national team in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar because we have failed and with it we have disappointed the people of Belgium who supported our team until the end,” the RBFA said in the note.
And he confirmed that “an era and a cycle have come to an end. Today the paths of our coach Roberto Martínez and the Royal Belgian Federation”.
But, at the same time, the members of the RBFA demonstrated “grateful and proud to have worked with Roberto Martínez for more than 6 years”.
“We thank Roberto Martínez for everything he has achieved with this Golden Generation, both as a coach and as technical director: four consecutive years as number one in the FIFA ranking, a bronze medal in the 2018 World Cup, qualifying for the Eurocup 2021, the UEFA Nations League Final Four 2021 and the 2022 World Cup”, listed Bossaert.
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Among the merits of Martínez, Bossaert cited having introduced “a modern structure in terms of analysis, education and scouting“, and having “started preparing for the next step in the careers of players who aspire to become coaches.”
“But also his contribution to the expansion of the new and modern football center in Tubize was enormous,” he added.
last though “not for that reason less important”, Bossaert thanked Martínez “for the family atmosphere he brought to our home and for being a great ambassador for Belgian football.”
“All the RBFA staff will miss him a lot. We wish Roberto Martínez the best of luck for the future,” concluded the manager, who summoned the press for a conference next Monday.