Roberto Martínez

Roberto Martínez

Roberto Martínez Montoliu is a Spanish football coach and former professional player. He played as a defensive midfielder for Real Zaragoza, Wigan Athletic, Motherwell, Walsall, Swansea City and Chester City. In 2007, he retired from playing to become manager of Swansea City, leading them to promotion from League One as champions. In 2013, he became manager of Everton, and became Belgium’s head coach on 3 August 2016. He was sacked by Everton in May 2016, and took over as manager of the Belgium national team in July. He is currently in charge of La Liga club Real Sociedad.

About Roberto Martínez in brief

Summary Roberto MartínezRoberto Martínez Montoliu (born 13 July 1973) is a Spanish football coach and former professional player. He played as a defensive midfielder for Real Zaragoza, Wigan Athletic, Motherwell, Walsall, Swansea City and Chester City. In 2007, he retired from playing to become manager of Swansea City, leading them to promotion from League One as champions. In 2013, he became manager of Everton, and became Belgium’s head coach on 3 August 2016. He guided them to third place in 2018 FIFA World Cup, their best-ever position in the competition as well as holding first place for Belgium in the FIFA World ranking since 2018. He was sacked by Everton in May 2016, and took over as manager of the Belgium national team in July. He is currently in charge of La Liga club Real Sociedad. He has also been named as one of the best managers in the history of the game by the Football Association. He won the Copa del Rey with Real Zaragosa in 1993, and the La Liga Cup with Real Madrid in 1994. He also won the League Cup with Athletic Bilbao in 1995. He spent a year at lower league side CF Balaguer, before signing for Wigan. He became part of a small Spanish contingent at the club known as ‘the three amigos’, alongside Jesús Seba and Isidro Díaz. He made his debut for the club on 12 August 1995 against Gillingham, scoring in a 2–1 defeat. In 1996, he was named in the Division Three PFA Team of the Year, and was also voted by the supporters as the club’s Player of the year.

In 1999, he received a Football League Trophy medal despite being injured when the final was played. In 2000, he signed a three-year deal with Scottish club Motherwell. In January 2003, he joined Swansea City on a short-term contract until the end of the season. He helped the team to win promotion to League One in 2005. In 2006, he moved to Chester City in 2006 and was again chosen to be captain. In 2009, he helped the club avoid relegation for three consecutive seasons. He then joined Wigan in 2009, helping the club to win the FA Cup in 2013 for the first time in their history. In 2011, he left Wigan to join First Division club Walsalls. He signed a two-year contract with the club in July 2011. In July 2012, he made eight more appearances, plus eight more as a substitute, before having his contract terminated. He moved back to Motherwell on a free transfer in August 2002. In August 2002, he did not regularly feature, but did not start a game for the Second Division club. In November 2002, he joined First Division First Division side Walsalsall on a free transfer. In March 2003, Martínz became Swansea City’s captain, helping to preserve the club’s place in the league. In April 2004, he won the Football League Third Division and the League Trophy.