Before offering the position of Portugal coach to Roberto Martinez, the Portuguese Football Federation had initially offered it to Jose Mourinho.
at recent days interview It was awarded to the Korean EA Sports YouTube channel, where Jose Mourinho revealed that he had been approached by the Portuguese Football Federation to take charge of the Portugal national team. At the time, Fernando Santos had just been sacked following the Seleção's quarter-final exit of the 2022 World Cup.
But the iconic player, who was still under contract with Roma, eventually refused. He has since been fired from the Italian club, and has made no secret of his regret for not accepting the offer that was made to him: I preferred to listen to my heart rather than my mind, and remained in Rome. It was a mistake. »
Then the EPLF retreated again Roberto MartinezWho had just resigned from his position as coach of Belgium, and on January 9, 2023, the Spanish technician was officially appointed at the helm of the Portuguese national team. This summer in Germany he will try to win his first European Championship after brilliantly qualifying Portugal.