[dropcap]D[/dropcap]espite his career as Everton boss petering out with a sorry whimper, Roberto Martínez has stunned Toffee’s fans alike by being named the new Belgium boss.
The former Wigan boss was named as the Red Devils’ new head coach via the official Twitter account of the Belgian Football Association on Wednesday night – the Catalan replacing the largely unpopular Marc Wilmots, who lost his job after Belgium were eliminated from Euro 2016 at the quarter-final stage by Wales.
Martinez was fired from his position as Everton boss late last season following a series of unconvincing displays. Whilst his debut season brought swift attack minded football to Goodison, culminating in a 5th placed finish, the Everton faithful grew weary of the sides ill conceived defensive competence. Shortcoming largely blamed on Martinez’ inability to to set his side up.
The appointment has been deemed somewhat of a surprise in football circles, however, the former Toffees man’s insistence on open, free flowing football may bring out the best in Belgium’s golden generation of frighteningly talented individuals – a far cry from the stodgy, predictable era of Wilmots.
Writing on Twitter, the former Everton striker and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker said: “Roberto Martínez is the new coach of Belgium. Wish him well in turning a side that plays really open into one that plays….really open.”
A turn up for the books or what.
What Everton’s Belgian pairing of Lukaku and Mirallas thinks of the news is anyone’s guess.