Who is Coach Roberto Martinez Beyond Football? Detailed History

Born on July 13, 1973, to his mother, Amor Montoliu, Roberto Martinez’s journey from his early football days in Balaguer, Spain, to becoming a global figure in the sport is remarkable. Nicknamed ‘The Chicoutimi Cucumber,’ Roberto’s childhood was deeply influenced by his father’s involvement in football. Named after his dad, Roberto Martinez Senior, a retired footballer who played for local Spanish clubs before becoming a manager, young Roberto grew up watching his father’s matches and experiencing the highs and lows of a professional football career.

Despite these ups and downs, the family’s connection to football remained strong. Roberto aspired to follow in his father’s footsteps while also valuing education. He completed a degree in physiotherapy while playing football professionally as a defensive midfielder. From his playing days to his managerial roles, the former Swansea football legend and boss, now happily married to Beth Thompson and a father to their child, Luella Martínez, has never looked back. Now, let’s dive into Roberto Martinez’s life story.

Roberto Martinez: From Balaguer to Global Football Figure

Roberto Martinez: From Balaguer to Global Football Figure

Our Roberto Martinez Biography tells you Facts about his childhood Story, Early Life, Parents – Mother (Amor Montoliu), Father (Roberto Martinez Senior), Family Background, Siblings, Relationships – Wife (Beth Thompson), Daughters (Luella Martinez and Safiana Martinez), Relatives – Grandparents Plus Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, etc.

This memoir about Roberto Martinez also details his Family Origin, Religion, Education, Ethnicity, Hometown, etc. Not ignoring the Football Managers’ personal Life and Lifestyle, we’ll also provide details of his Zodiac attributes, Net Worth, and Salary.

In a nutshell, we present the Full History of Roberto Martinez. Our Bio is the story of a young boy named Roberto whose father’s job inspired him to play football.

Thus birthing in him a strong desire to compete and win in everything he got involved in – both in his football and managerial career.

Preamble:

Our version of Roberto Martinez’s Bio begins by unveiling notable events of his childhood years. Next, we’ll explain his ethnic heritage and early career highlights. Finally, we’ll tell about how the football coach and former professional player achieved a meteoric rise in the beautiful game.

We anticipates whetting your autobiography appetite as you read Roberto Martinez’s Bio. To do that, let’s present you with this photo gallery that summarises the Manager’s life story. Behold Roberto, from his early soccer days until when he became a household name in Football.

Roberto Martinez Biography - From his childhood to the moment he became famous. Credits: Facebook/footballlplane, Thesun, Wikipedia, Transfermarkt.

Roberto Martinez Biography – From his childhood to the moment he became famous. Credits: Facebook/footballlplane, Thesun, Wikipedia, Transfermarkt.

Yes, everyone knows the Football Boss for leading the Belgium national team to a third-place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which was their highest-ever ranking in the tournament. He also helped Eden Hazard‘s Belgium team maintain the top position in the FIFA World Rankings from 2018 to 2022.

In our history of telling the stories of Football Managers, we found areas that haven’t been covered. The truth is, not many football lovers have read an in-depth version of Roberto Martinez’s Biography. Now, without further ado, let’s proceed.

Roberto Martinez’s Childhood Story:

For Biography starters, he bears the nickname – ‘The Chicoutimi Cucumber’. And his full name is Roberto Martinez Montoliu. The Football Manager was born on the 13th day of July 1973 to his Mother, Amor Montoliu, and Father, Roberto Martinez, in Balaguer, Catalonia, Spain.

Roberto’s entrance into the world took place on a memorable Friday, marked by the Cancer zodiac sign. As of the penning of this biography, there is a lack of records concerning any siblings, suggesting Roberto might be the sole child of his devoted Mum, Amor and his Dad.

Now, let’s introduce you to Roberto Martinez’s parents. They are persons whose continual push and hard work saw to it that the full potential of their Son (now a Football Manager) came to fruition.

Meet Roberto Martinez's Parents - Mother (Amor Montoliu) and Father (Roberto Martinez Senior). Image Source: Lavenir

Meet Roberto Martinez’s Parents – Mother (Amor Montoliu) and Father (Roberto Martinez Senior). Image Source: Lavenir

Growing-Up:

Being brought up in Balaguer, Spain, provided Roberto Martinez with a unique and culturally rich childhood. Balaguer, the capital of the comarca of Noguera in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, offered an exceptional environment that influenced his upbringing.

Roberto’s hometown is known for its tight-knit community, where people often know their neighbours and share a strong sense of belonging. Hence, Roberto Martinez likely grew up in an environment where interpersonal relationships and a sense of security were paramount.

As a child, Martinez was exposed to traditional Catalan customs, festivals, and cuisine. This cultural immersion could have instilled in him a deep appreciation for heritage and local traditions.

Young Roberto Martinez may have gotten involved in local sporting and other recreational activities. It could have been an opportunity for him to stay active and make friends, laying the foundation for his future venture.

As a child, young Roberto Martinez had a strong bond with his father. One of their favourite pastimes was playing games together. Whether card games, Ludo, or board games, they both cherished several moments of friendly competition.

An intense and passionate spirit characterized the atmosphere during these games between dad and son. Both Roberto and his father shared a deep desire to win, and this competitiveness added excitement to their playtime.

While they play together, each move and decision during the games gets thoughtfully considered as they vie for victory.

Indeed, his childhood experiences significantly shaped his character and fostered his passion for the man and football manager he has now become.

Roberto Martinez’s Early Life:

The Soccer Boss had a childhood deeply influenced by his father’s involvement in the football game. Roberto was born in Balaguer, where his father played for the local club and later became its manager.

As a young boy, Martinez watched his father’s matches and witnessed the highs and lows of professional football.

Back in the day, his father was a highly competitive individual who always aimed for victory. Even when playing games that didn’t involve a ball, the atmosphere in their competitions was intense.

Martinez’s first exposure to football came at the age of two when his father would take him to the pitch before his matches. His father taught him the basics of kicking a ball and playing catch there.

This early exposure to football and his father’s guidance laid the foundation for Martinez’s future sports career. The rest, they say, is history.

Roberto Martinez Family Background:

The talented soccer coach grew up in a family deeply connected to football. His dad played for and later managed the local club, Balaguer, which competed in the third tier of Spanish football. These early years had a profound impact on young Roberto’s life.

So, as a child, Roberto was immersed in football. He watched his father as a player and manager, exposing him to the highs and lows of professional football.

Money was not a problem as the household had enough to take good care of its essential needs of food, clothing and shelter.

Roberto Martinez Family Origin:

We trace his household ancestry to Spain, in his birthplace in Balaguer, in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. According to the tradition of Spaniards, in his Spanish full name, ‘Roberto Martinez Montoliu’, his first name, which is Martinez, is his father’s surname.

Meanwhile, his second name, Montoliu, is rooted in his mother’s or maternal family name. Thus confirming that his family has a Spanish background, as reflected in the country’s naming pattern.

Imperatively, the Portugal football Boss, Roberto Martinez, is a European of Spanish nationality. Following is a picture that explains the cultural heritage of the dazzling football coach and former professional player.

A pictorial description of Roberto Martinez's family origin. Credits: Google, FreeeCountryMaps, Wikipedia, Wikipedia.

A pictorial description of Roberto Martinez’s family origin. Credits: Google, FreeeCountryMaps, Wikipedia, Wikipedia.

Roberto Martinez Ethnicity:

The former Everton Boss joins the majority of the population in Spain who see themselves as ethnically Spanish. However, Roberto Martinez is from the Catalan ethnic group in eastern Spain. The same goes for the likes of Gerard Deulofeu, Jordi Alba and Xavi Hernandez.

Roberto Martinez Education:

During his soccer career, the Spaniard was forward-thinking and pursued education alongside his sports endeavours. Research has it that Roberto Martinez started by working towards a degree in physiotherapy, which he completed.

Later, the Football Manager decided to further his education and earned a postgraduate diploma in business management from Manchester Metropolitan University.

His commitment to learning and acquiring knowledge reflected his dedication to personal and professional development beyond soccer.

Career Buildup:

As a young boy, Roberto Martinez discovered his love for football early on. His father profoundly influenced him in the sport throughout his childhood.

Martinez studied his father’s tactics closely and listened to his thoughts on team selections. Thus, the future football manager dreamt of becoming a professional player one day.

While working towards a degree in physiotherapy, which he completed, Martinez got engaged playing for Real Zaragoza, commonly referred to as Zaragoza, a football club based in Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain (Salma Paralluelo‘s home city).

His passion for the sport was evident from the start. He would eagerly watch football matches live and on TV. His parents noticed his enthusiasm and encouraged him to pursue his dreams.

Football became more than just a game for Martinez; it became a passion and a way of life. As a result, he developed an unrelenting desire to win. Any defeat left Roberto feeling miserable.

This competitive spirit, instilled in him by his father, became a defining characteristic of his personality. Significantly, Martinez acknowledges the challenges that come with a career in soccer, both as a player and a manager.

Early on, Roberto believes that the sport is all about winning. Although, he noticed that it can be challenging to cope with when you fail. Overall, his unwavering commitment to success, influenced by his father’s example, has been a driving force in Martinez’s life.

Roberto Martinez Biography – Football Story:

The former Belgian manager started his football journey at CF Balaguer, his hometown club, in the Tercera División. He had his first competitive match with the club’s youth team when he was nine.

While at CF Balaguer, he played at various levels of youth football. At the age of 16, Roberto made the transition to Real Zaragoza.

In 1991, Martinez debuted for the Real Zaragoza B team, but he mainly played for the youth teams during his first three seasons with the club.

Then, on the 20th of June 1993, he had his first appearance for the first team in La Liga, substituting for Luis Cuartero in the 55th minute during a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid on the final day of the 1992-93 season.

The following season, Martinez took a step back and started playing more regularly for the B team. He helped the team regain promotion to the Segunda Division B after they got relegated in the previous season.

In 1994, the seasoned football coach returned to Balaguer to play for the first team while running a football school for the club as an alternative to military service.

As he progressed through the ranks, his performances captured the eye of scouts from various professional clubs in Spain. Martinez then received an opportunity to move to England from Dave Whelan, the Chairman of Wigan Athletic.

Emphatically, he signed with Wigan Athletic on a free transfer on the 25th of July, 1995, joining fellow Spaniards Jesus Seba and Isidro Diaz, collectively known as the “Three Amigos.”

Roberto Martinez Bio – Road to Fame Story:

The Sports talent debuted on the 12th day of August 1995 in a match against Gillingham, scoring for Wigan in a 2-1 defeat. In the 1995-96 season, Roberto emerged as the team’s top goalscorer with 13 goals in all competitions.

His exceptional performances earned him recognition, being named PFA Team of the Year (in the Division Three). Moreover, he was also voted as the club’s Player of the Year by the supporters.

Martinez achieved his first honours in the 1996-97 season when Wigan became Division Three Champions. He again joined the Division Three PFA Team of the Year and then signed a new four-year contract.

During his time at Wigan, the team also won the Football League Trophy in 1999. Following, he received a winner’s medal despite being injured during the final match.

Released by Wigan on a free transfer at the end of the 2000–2001 season, Martinez signed a three-year deal with the Scottish club Motherwell in July 2001. After playing several clubs, Martinez moved to Walsall before joining Swansea City in 2003.

At Swansea, he became the club captain and played a crucial role in assisting the team win promotion to League One in 2005.

He subsequently moved to Chester City in 2006, where he emerged again chosen as the captain, which later paved the way for his managerial career, starting with Swansea City in 2007. As a result of his performance, he is regarded as the architect of “The Swansea Way.”

Furthermore, Martinez is also one of the most influential individuals in the club’s history. Today, Roberto feels a sense of pride seeing that the possession-based style of play has been entwined in the club’s DNA and is blossoming.

Roberto Martinez Biography – Rise to Fame Story:

In 2009, the Spanish football leader transitioned into management, taking over as the manager of Wigan Athletic. He helped the club avoid relegation for three consecutive seasons. However, Wigan became relegated to a lower division in his fourth season.

Despite the relegation, Martinez achieved a historic milestone by leading Wigan to win the FA Cup in 2013, marking the club’s first win.

At the end of that season, Martinez became the manager of Everton. In his first season with Everton, the team finished fifth in the Premier League. However, he was sacked as the manager in May 2016, with the club in 12th position in the league.

Roberto Martinez’s Journey as Belgium’s National Team Coach:

Subsequently, in August 2016, Martinez took on the role of head coach for the Belgium national team (The Red Devils). Under his leadership, Belgium achieved its best-ever result in the FIFA World Cup by finishing in third place in 2018. He coached top talents like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

Belgium also held the top position in the FIFA World Rankings from 2018 to 2022. After the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Martinez stood down as Belgium manager. He resigned from his position as the head coach of Belgium.

Howbeit, Belgium’s failure to defeat Croatia in their final Group F match led to Martinez confirming his retirement from the position after over six years in charge. In January 2023, Martinez got set to take over the Portugal national team, replacing Fernando Santos.

His first game in charge took place on 23 March in a 4–0 home win over Liechtenstein at Estadio Jose Alvalade in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Following his recent appointment as the head coach of Portugal, Martinez has expressed his intentions to include Cristiano Ronaldo in his plans for the national team. He has mentioned his desire to hold discussions with the Al Nassr striker regarding his role in the team.

Subsequently, on the 11th of September, Martinez led Portugal to their most significant victory in international history by defeating Luxembourg 9–0 at home.

Roberto Martinez’s Wife – Beth Thompson:

According to records, Roberto Martinez is not single but happily married to his wife, Beth Thompson. Before getting married in 2009, Beth and Roberto had been dating for a while. Remarkably, they remain inseparably linked to this day.

Roberto Martinez and his wife, Beth. Image Source: TheSun.

Roberto Martinez and his wife, Beth. Image Source: TheSun.

More about Roberto Martinez’s Wife:

Beth Thompson was born and reared in the Scottish Highlands. She is popular for being the wife of Roberto Martinez. Research has it that Beth is Scottish, and she works as an events coordinator. Beth and Roberto met in 2002 when Martinez played for the Scottish side Motherwell.

The relationship between Beth and Roberto blossomed, leading to their marriage in June 2009 at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Swansea. Together, they have two daughters, Luella Martinez and Safiana Martinez.

Roberto Martinez with his Wife and Children. Credits: Sportmob.

Roberto Martinez with his Wife and Children. Credits: Sportmob.

While Beth may have her interests, she shares a mutual appreciation for football with her husband. She often joins Martinez on the sofa to watch games and has developed her understanding of the sport over the years.

Despite their differing hobbies, they have found a way to compromise and spend quality time together as a couple.

Beth Thompson has been a significant part of Martinez’s personal life, providing support and companionship throughout his football player and manager journey.

Personal Life:

Just like anyone else, football players have things they enjoy doing outside of the sport. Based on what we’ve seen, Roberto Martinez has a variety of interests.

These may include travelling, listening to music, playing video games, keeping up with fashion, staying active with workouts, and enjoying swimming.

You can often learn about his hobbies, lifestyle, and leisure activities from social media posts and interviews. Emphatically, Football remains his passion.

Significantly, he’s a coach who keeps a low profile. He’s not just relying on his past as a player; he has many years of coaching experience.

To demonstrate his versatility, Martinez can speak many languages. He knows much about different European leagues, which is essential because many Portuguese players also play in England, Spain, Italy, and Germany.

Roberto’s parents described him as cheerful, determined, and disciplined. He demonstrated perseverance, a strong will, and a willingness to take risks in pursuing his goals.

Despite his calm and smiling demeanour, he was determined to succeed, which he inherited from his parents. They recognized their characteristics in him, including his ability to adapt and his curiosity about various aspects of life.

Martinez’s father, although more cautious in making decisions himself, admired his son’s ability to adapt and take risks. He marvelled at Roberto’s courage to leave for Zaragoza at 16 and later for England, where he quickly learned the English language.

Roberto’s parents were proud of his accomplishments and admired his positive and determined outlook.

The family also mentioned Roberto’s passion for puzzles and his love for ensuring all the pieces fit together, reflecting his tactical approach to football. Despite his success, Roberto remained humble and preferred to stay incognito when visiting his hometown.

In addition, the talented Spaniard loves to spend quality time with his friends and family. His activities include vacations, outings with friends, and attending special events.

He often prioritizes rest and recovery to support his performances on the field. The Football Boss ensures balanced nutrition in living a healthy.

As much as Roberto Martinez has many fans, he is not active on social media. Nonetheless, Notable of his friends are Jordi Cruyff, Alex Ferguson, and Sam Allardyce.

Roberto Martinez Zodiac:

People born from the range between the 21st of June to the 22nd of July have the sun sign of Cancer. The retired competitive soccer player Roberto Martinez, falls into this category. Another football manager who fall into the same Cancer Zodiac sign is Luis de la Fuente.

Cancers are known for being caring, loyal, and protective of their loved ones. They may seem reserved but have inner strength and can take action when needed. The symbol of the crab helps explain how Cancers can sense things even when they can’t explain why.

Roberto Martinez Lifestyle:

As a professional football player and athlete, the Gamester possesses remarkable focus and a disciplined lifestyle. His rigorous training, skill development, childhood experiences, and tactical preparations have significantly shaped his approach to the sport.

Roberto is a highly promising and successful Spanish sportsman, and his achievements have allowed him to accumulate significant wealth from his hard work. Due to his impact and success, he has seen a substantial increase in his income.

This wealth enables him to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle, including lavish mansions, vacations, fine dining, and luxury cars. The dynamic athlete lives a luxurious life in Portugal, where he has developed a taste for expensive cars.

His garage likely contains an impressive collection of luxury vehicles. Notably, he has a BMW 8 Series Coupe. The BMW 8 Series Coupe combines the character of a sports car with the unique elegance of the BMW luxury class.

Comparatively, prices for a brand-new BMW 8 Series start at $90,400, with vehicle mileage ranging from 16 to 73,155.

Roberto Martinez is being presented with a brand-new BMW. Image Source: BMWGroup.

Roberto Martinez is being presented with a brand-new BMW. Image Source: BMWGroup.

Roberto Martinez’s Family Life:

While there is limited public information available about Roberto Martinez’s specific family life, it is evident that his family has played a vital role in his career as an athlete. His network of family members has contributed to his journey as a professional football player. Now lets take a look at them individually.

Roberto Martinez’s Father – Roberto Martinez Senior:

The Former Swansea City player bears the same name as his father. Roberto Martinez Senior is best known as The erstwhile Soccer Star’s foremost inspiration and biological father.

Roberto Martinez’s father played a significant role in shaping his passion and competitive spirit for football. Apparently, Martinez was born in Balaguer, which was also the place where his father’s football career ended.

As a child, he would watch his father play for Balaguer and later manage the club, which competed in the third tier of Spanish football.

Martinez described his father as a fierce competitor who always strived to be a winner. This attitude left a lasting impact on young Roberto, and he learned valuable lessons from his father’s competitive nature.

They often played games together, whether football or other activities like cards, Ludo, or board games. The atmosphere during these games was intense, as both father and son pushed for victory.

These gaming sessions not only provided entertainment but also served as valuable life lessons for young Roberto. They taught him the importance of perseverance, strategic thinking, and the thrill of achieving success.

The bond between father and son grew stronger through these shared experiences, laying the foundation for Roberto Martinez’s future in football, where he would carry forward the same competitive spirit and determination into his career as a player and manager.

More about Roberto Martinez Senior:

Despite his father’s competitive spirit, he was a pleasant and respectful man, especially to the winner. However, when they lost, Martinez sensed a deep disappointment behind his father’s happy and congratulatory demeanour.

Moreover, football was a dominant topic of conversation in their household, creating an environment where Martinez’s love for the sport flourished. Martinez’s father’s influence helped instil in him a winning mentality and a deep passion for football.

He recognized that professional sports were all about winning, and any defeat left one feeling miserable. This passion for football became a way of life for Martinez, both as a player and later as a manager.

While it could be challenging for the loved ones of footballers, Martinez believed that unwavering dedication to the sport was necessary for success.

Roberto Martinez’s Mother – Amor Montoliu:

The Spanish football boss’s biological mother and the wife of Roberto Martinez Senior is the beautiful Amor Montoliu. While growing up, the confident Soccer Boss Roberto Martinez, had a special connection with his family.

Their presence and support were vital to his development as a player. However, Roberto focuses on his professional career and prefers to keep his personal life private. Therefore, as of this writing, we need information about her date of birth, age, height, or weight.

Understandably, Roberto may want to maintain her privacy and separate his personal life from his professional career. Nevertheless, based on her full name, Amor Montoliu, we can deduce that her family name is Montoliu. She also comes from Spain.

His mother played a significant role in his education and provided guidance, instilling the importance of responsibility and pursuing his dreams.

Roberto Martinez Siblings:

It would be easier to talk more about Roberto Martinez’s family if we had specific information about his siblings. But Roberto has kept that part of his life private, and we don’t have details about his brothers or sisters.

Growing up with siblings can create many shared memories and experiences. It can also help footballers learn similar values and feel a sense of belonging.

Siblings often become like built-in friends who provide love and support no matter what, making the footballer feel secure and happy. This support can boost their confidence and inner strength.

In summary, our info gives an uncertainty about whether Roberto Martinez has siblings. It mentions that he “might have brothers or sisters,” but there’s no clear information about his siblings in the available data.

Roberto Martinez Relatives:

Similarly, the sports boss has kept details about his extended family members relatively private. We guess the aim is to shield his loved ones from unnecessary public scrutiny.

These relatives and close family friends played a significant role in his upbringing by offering support and guidance. Without specific information about Roberto Martinez’s relatives, like most Spaniards, the relationship between family members is crucial.

Consequently, the competitive athlete has Aunts, Uncles, grandparents, Cousins, Nephews, nieces, and possibly in-laws. But then, only a little is written about them.

Untold Facts:

Following, in the final section of the global soccer Champ’s Bio, we’ll unveil more truths you might need to learn about the Portugal Head Coach. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

Roberto Martinez’s Salary:

According to Surprise Sports, Roberto Martinez, the former manager of the Belgium national team as of 2023, has a net worth of $5 million. The Spanish tactician earns a decent annual salary of €1.2 million as a soccer manager.

He has been receiving this salary annually since 2019. However, reports suggest that his salary has doubled to €2.4 million ($2.66 million) annually at the time of this writing.

Roberto Martinez Religion:

The Swansea Way architect is a devoted Catholic. He strongly believes in his Christian faith and regularly attends church, especially when visiting his hometown in Balaguer, Spain.

His belief is fundamental to him. Thus, he continued to practice Christianity, even with the trend towards secularization in Spain and other parts of Western Europe.

Broadcasting career:

Martinez worked as a studio analyst for ESPN during the FIFA World Cup editions in 2010 and 2014, as well as at the UEFA European Championship in 2012 and 2016. He also contributed to the coverage of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Roberto made regular appearances on Sky Sports’ Spanish football programme called Revista de la Liga. Additionally, he was a guest on the BBC’s Match of the Day.

Furthermore, in July 2020, Martinez joined as one of the pundits for CBS Sports Network’s coverage of the UEFA Champions League.

Achievements in Football:

Roberto Martinez has achieved significant success as a soccer manager, guiding Belgium to a third-place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, marking a notable achievement in his career.

His coaching career with Belgium also includes qualifications for major events like the UEFA 2021 European Championships, the UEFA 2021 UEFA Nations League Final Four, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

These accomplishments showcase his impressive track record in international soccer management.

Roberto Martinez Book:

In his biography called “Roberto: Kicking Every Ball,” written in 2008 with his mother’s help and translated into English, Roberto Martinez talks about how his father influenced him.

He mentions that he quickly adopted his father’s values, especially his strong aversion to losing. This way of thinking, instilled in him by his father, has significantly impacted his life and career.

Roberto Martinez Books. Credits: Amazon.

Roberto Martinez Books. Credits: Amazon.

The book covers various aspects of Martinez’s life, including his upbringing, beliefs, and experiences in football. Additionally, Roberto Martinez has written another book called “Roberto Martinez Trivia Book: Everything You Need to Know about Roberto Martinez.”

This book shares trivia and interesting facts about Roberto Martinez, allowing readers to test their knowledge about him. It could be an enjoyable read for fans and anyone curious about his life and career.

Summary EndNote:

Roberto Martinez Montoliu, born on July 13, 1973, is a Spanish football Boss and Swansea Legend. He currently serves as the head coach of the Portugal national team.

Martinez’s journey in football began in his hometown of Balaguer, Spain, where he played for his local club, CF Balaguer, in the Tercera Division. He started in the club’s youth team and then moved to Real Zaragoza at 16.

During his career as a player, Martinez primarily played as a defensive midfielder. He initially had success at Real Zaragoza.

During his time at Wigan, the team achieved significant victories, including winning the Football League Third Division and the Football League Trophy. After leaving Wigan, he played for various clubs, including Motherwell, Walsall, Swansea City, and Chester City.

Once his playing career was over, Martinez transitioned to coaching. He took over as the manager of Wigan Athletic in 2009. Notably, he led them to victory in the FA Cup 2013, a historic achievement for the club.

Later, he managed Everton and then became the head coach of the Belgium national team in August 2016.

Under his leadership, Belgium achieved its best-ever result in the FIFA World Cup, finishing third in 2018. The team also held the top position in the 2018 FIFA World Rankings to 2022.

After the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he stepped down as Belgium’s head coach, and in January 2023, he got appointed as the coach of Portugal.

Conversely, in his personal life, Martinez married his Scottish girlfriend Beth Thompson in June 2009, and they have two daughters named Luella and Safiana. He also holds a postgraduate business management diploma from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Appreciation Note:

We take this moment to express sincere appreciation for reading our Biography of Roberto Martinez. Your interest and engagement mean a lot. We are thrilled you found value in our continuous delivery of exciting European and Managerial football stories.

Roberto Martinez’s Bio is part of our collection of Managerial Football Stories. If you have any further concerns about this memoir, please get in touch with us.

Aside from Roberto Martinez’s Bio, we’ve got other great football manager stories for your reading pleasure. The life Histories of Domenico Tedesco and Julian Nagelsmann will interest you.

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