Roberto Martinez emerges as contender for Scotland job days after Portugal exit

Roberto Martinez has emerged as a contender to become the next Scotland manager.

The Spaniard has left Portugal following their World Cup exit in the round of 16, as first reported by talkSPORT.

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Scotland are on the hunt for a new boss after Steve Clarke stepped down following the nation’s group stage elimination.

Reports in Caledonia have named Martinez as a possible candidate for the job, citing his links with Scotland.

The former Swansea, Wigan and Everton manager played for Motherwell and met his Scottish wife there in 2002.

Ange Postecoglou was considered a frontrunner for the role but the Australian has since taken the Al Nassr job.

And talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook insists Martinez to Scotland could have legs.

The 52-year-old was linked with the vacant Celtic job earlier this summer before the Hoops appointed Martin O’Neill.

“That might not be as fanciful as it seems,” Crook said when asked about Martinez and Scotland.

“I was told a while ago that Martinez potentially was a contender for Celtic.

“I believe he’s got a Scottish wife and wouldn’t be against the idea of living in Scotland.

“I think he’d have to take a huge pay cut from what he’s been earning as Portugal manager.

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“Or maybe the SFA need to find a bit of outside investment, much like the US have done with Mauricio Pochettino.

“So Martinez is an interesting contender.”

Overrated?

Martinez has been highly-rated as a coach ever since his success with Swansea and Wigan, but some have started to question his reputation at the top level.

He failed to deliver success with Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ and Portugal were among the favourites for the 2026 World Cup before limping out in the last-16 with a 1-0 defeat to Spain.

Crook added: “I think he’s wasted this Portuguese squad, arguably the greatest squad they’ve ever had at a tournament, certainly up there with their own golden generation, the likes of Luis Figo and Nuno Gomes.

“They didn’t make any kind of mark at all on this tournament. And mainly because Martinez didn’t know what to do with Cristiano Ronaldo.

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“You look at that Argentinian team yesterday and, OK, they rode their luck. But the nine outfield players all played to the strengths of Lionel Messi, so he doesn’t become a hindrance. I don’t see that with Portugal.

“And I think, actually, had he been bolder, had he taken Ronaldo out of the starting XI, maybe they would still be in this tournament.

“I know Spain is a tough nut to crack. But I think he’s been a lucky boy to get the jobs he has got.

“Having said that, I think Scotland fans probably would welcome him.
It’s going to be really interesting to see what road the SFA go down, because this has become a bit of a mess for them, hasn’t it?

“Having handed Steve Clarke such a big contract before the tournament, for him then to walk out hours after they’ve been eliminated, clearly wasn’t part of the planning process.”