Roberto Martinez has emerged as a shock candidate to become the new Netherlands manager, as their search continues for Ronald Koeman‘s successor.
The Dutch have been on the lookout for a new boss after Koeman resigned following their World Cup last-32 penalty shootout exit by Morocco in June.
And according to De Telegraaf, the KNVB (the Royal Dutch Football Association) have turned their sights towards Martinez.
They report that technical director Nigel de Jong has held talks with the 53-year-old about taking the reins.
If the Spaniard was to join he would become the Netherlands’ first foreign manager in 48 years – since Austrian Ernst Happel led them to the 1978 World Cup final, where they lost 3-1 to Argentina.
De Telegraaf note that Martinez is a close friend of Jordi Cruyff and a supporter of the iconic football philosophy of his late father, Johan.
Roberto Martinez has reportedly held talks with the Netherlands over becoming their new boss
The Dutch on the hunt for a new manager since Ronald Koeman (centre) resigned in June
Martinez resigned as Portugal boss after their World Cup last-16 exit by Spain in July
If Martinez did get the job it would be his third foray in international management having been in charge of Belgium and Portugal previously. However, despite having star-studded squads at his disposal both tenures ended in disappointment.
He achieved a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup with Belgium but they crashed out in the group stages four years later. Then with Portugal, he won the 2024-25 Nations League but lost 1-0 to eventual winners Spain in the last 16 of this summer’s World Cup.
After that defeat, Martinez resigned from the role in July as pressure grew over his tactics and team selections.
The Netherlands turning to Martinez, comes after several homegrown managers have turned down the role – including Arne Slot, who wishes to remain in club football for now.
Slot, who left Liverpool at the end of last season, was in negotiations to take over the national team of his homeland but withdrew from the race.
Some reports suggested Slot had turned down the opportunity because of potential salary and contract length, but the 47-year-old has released a statement revealing the true reason.
‘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past few days, various reports have appeared regarding the vacancy at the Dutch national team, suggesting that I had withdrawn from the process after lengthy negotiations, including regarding salary and contract duration,’ Slot said via Dutch publication Voetbal International. ‘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. And why I chose not to continue the talks and not to start negotiations on what a possible contract might look like.
‘It would be a great honor to represent my country as national coach one day. However, this was not the right moment for me.’
