Roberto Martinez ‘in talks to become new Netherlands boss’ despite World Cup failures with Portugal and Belgium

ROBERTO MARTINEZ has held talks over the vacant Netherlands national team job. The former Premier League boss, 53, is available after leaving Portugal following their World Cup exit. Roberto Martinez could be in line for another national team gig Credit: Getty Martinez left Portugal following their World Cup exit Credit: AFP Dutch football chiefs are after a new boss as they look to replace Ronald Koeman, who departed after his men lost to Morocco on penalties in the round of 32. According to De Telegraaf, Dutch technical director Nigel de Jong has spoken to Martinez regarding the role. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Former Manchester City midfielder De Jong is said to have travelled to Malaga to meet with Martinez face-to-face. Martinez has extensive experience of international football, having managed Belgium for six years before spending the last four with Portugal. The ex-Everton manager guided Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, agonisingly losing 1-0 to eventual winners France in the semi-finals. They also lost to eventual champions Italy at Euro 2020, this time at the quarter-final stage. Martinez departed the role following a disappointing group stage exit at the Qatar World Cup four years ago. With Portugal he lost to France on penalties in the quarter-finals at Euro 2024, before a late 1-0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16 at this summer’s World Cup. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Martinez previously bossed Belgium at three tournaments Credit: EPA The Netherlands are believed to have been turned down by several domestic candidates. Local reports suggest that the likes of Arne Slot, Erik ten Hag and Peter Bosz do not want the role. This could lead to Dutch football chiefs turning to a foreign manager for the first time since Ernst Happel in the 1970s. Confirming that he would not be taking the job, ex-Liverpool chief Slot said: “Over the past few weeks, and particularly the past few days, various reports have appeared regarding the vacancy at the Dutch national team, suggesting that I had withdrawn from the process after lengthy negotiations, including regarding salary and contract duration. “That speculation is incorrect. We simply never reached that stage of the talks. “At this stage of my career, I prefer to see myself on the training pitch with my players every day. Something that is simply not possible in the same way with a national team.” Last week, former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal suggested that he could return for a fourth stint as Dutch national team manager. The 74-year-old has been out of work since stepping down as Netherlands boss following the 2022 World Cup amid a battle with prostate cancer. Having last year confirmed that he is cancer free, Van Gaal said: “I always want to help the KNVB (Dutch FA), just as I wanted to do at Ajax. “And with such a squad, there are of course possibilities. “I also think that the Netherlands could potentially still become European or world champions, because 95 per cent of the squad plays abroad and often at good clubs.” Van Gaal added: “I have already been national coach three times, so if I ever do something as a trainer again, you probably shouldn’t look for it in the Netherlands. Although you never know with me.” Louis van Gaal hinted that he’d be willing to return to management Credit: AP Play Dream Team this season! £100,000 in prize money up for grabs in 2026/27 Free to enter Play in Mini Leagues against your mates £60,000 jackpot for the overall winner £1,000 prize for winning Gameweek 1 PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW! Comment now