Roberto Martinez out of Everton job reckoning as he takes Portugal role

Former Belgium boss Martinez succeeds Fernando Santos, who left the role after eight years in charge after the World Cup last month.

Martinez, previously manager at Everton and Wigan, was himself available after his spell with Belgium ended following the recent tournament in Qatar.

The 49-year-old had been one of the favourites to return to Everton, if Frank Lampard had found himself out of a job at Goodison Park, following a dreadful run of results.

Martinez left his role as Belgium manager after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after crashing out of the group stage exit when finishing third in Group F behind Croatia and Morocco.

A tweet from the Portuguese Football Federation read: "A new leader at the service of Portugal - welcome Mr Roberto Martinez."

Martinez replaces Fernando Santos, who spent eight years in charge of Portugal and led them to their first major title at Euro 2016.

Martinez, an FA Cup winner with Wigan in 2013, spent six years with Belgium, leading them to the top of the world rankings, third place at the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

Speaking at a press conference, Martinez said: "I am very excited to be here. I am very happy to represent one of the national teams with the best talent in the world.

"From the first time I spoke with the president of the federation I knew this was a sporting project that would excite me.

"I understand there are great expectations and big objectives, but there is a great team of people at the federation and I have great excitement that together we can achieve those objectives."