Martinez is among the frontrunners to inherit the reins, and the Catalan native is ruling nothing out when it comes to a possible return to his roots being made.
Martinez would love Belgium to be the first European country to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar
Roberto Martinez remains in charge of the Belgium national team for now, but he admits that “you never know what tomorrow will bring” as he continues to be linked with a high-profile post at Barcelona. Ronald Koeman currently fills that role, but the under-fire Dutchman is considered on borrowed time as serious questions about his future at Camp Nou is considered. Martinez is among the frontrunners to inherit the reins, and the Catalan native is ruling nothing out when it comes to a possible return to his roots being made. With his focus locked on the Nations League Finals at present, Martinez told reporters when asked about the Barcelona reports: “I would love Belgium to be the first European country to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. That’s the challenge after the Nations League final.
Barcelona aren’t expected to make a change in their dugout until after the October international break
“But, in football, you never know what tomorrow will bring. I wake up every morning as Belgium coach until the last day of my contract, but I realise that many circumstances can arise along the way.” Barca are not expected to make a change in their dugout until after the October international break, with Koeman set to remain at the helm for a crunch clash with defending Spanish champions Atletico Madrid on Saturday. With there no movement on that front as yet, Martinez is eager to point out that no one at Camp Nou has approached him. He added: “There is absolutely nothing. There has been no contact.” The 48-year-old has been in charge of Belgium since August 2016 and previously worked in club coaching with Swansea, Wigan and Everton.
He is a close friend of Barcelona’s assistant sporting director Jordi Cruyff, but Martinez insists that will have no impact on whether he is lined up to succeed Koeman. “The basis of my friendship with Jordi is that we separate our private and professional lives,” Martinez said. “At no time did I ask Jordi about my situation at Barcelona. I don’t think he has the role of appointing a possible new coach either.”