Profile of Roberto Martínez: a tireless worker obsessed with possession
Martínez lives and breathes football
KEVIN C. COX / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
Roberto Martínez (52) is known for putting everything on the line for success. However, the Portugal coach never resorts to a heavy-handed approach with his players; instead, as an incorrigible optimist, he shows them new paths. Flashscore presents the coaches of the 2026 World Cup and analyzes the strategists behind the national teams. In our overview, you will regularly find new profiles of the most important coaches at the tournament in North America.
**Roberto Martínez (Portugal)**
– **Date of Birth:** July 13, 1973
– **Nationality:** Spain
– **In Charge Since:** January 2023
– **Tactical Profile:** Dominant possession football
– **Top Achievements as Coach:** FA Cup winner in 2013 (Wigan Athletic), third place at the 2018 World Cup (Belgium), Euro 2024 quarterfinals (Portugal), 2025 Nations League winner (Portugal)
**A tireless worker obsessed with possession**
Those around Roberto Martínez describe him as a true workaholic. For the Spaniard, being a coach is much more than a profession: it’s a passion for which he sacrifices everything. In his previous teams, he made a name for himself through both endless video analysis and unwavering optimism.
During his time in England, he quickly earned the nickname ‘Phenomenal.’ He was known for publicly praising his team even after lackluster performances and calling them “phenomenal.”
Despite the jokes, he has achieved major success in the Premier League. At **Swansea City**, between 2007 and 2009, he firmly committed to his tactical idea. There, the club left behind the classic ‘kick and rush’ style and embraced a possession-based approach. With a similar philosophy, he later surprisingly led **Wigan Athletic** to an FA Cup triumph and transformed **Everton** from a perennial relegation candidate into a contender for European competitions.
By winning the FA Cup, Martínez (right) burst onto the international scene for the first time
ANDREW YATES / AFP
However, he has never managed a top-tier elite club, probably because his strict adherence to principles only fits very specific teams. But with the **Belgium national team**, he was able to implement his vision almost without interference. He led the “Golden Generation” led by **Kevin De Bruyne** to the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup.
Then came his stint with Portugal. As the first Spaniard in the role, he took on the challenge of turning the star-studded team led by **Cristiano Ronaldo** into a genuine title contender. The fact that his team usually dominates opponents and that Martínez already holds his press conferences in Portuguese has brought him widespread acceptance in the country. However, in passionate Portugal, only a trophy like the World Cup can turn him into a legend.
**Mentions:** Football, Portugal, Roberto Martínez, World Cup, Reports