sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
People think Roberto Martinez moonwalked out of his final interview as Belgium manager

Home> Football

Updated 19:55 1 Dec 2022 GMTPublished 19:22 1 Dec 2022 GMT

People think Roberto Martinez moonwalked out of his final interview as Belgium manager

The 49-year-old has left his role as Belgium manager.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Fans think Roberto Martinez ended his tenure as Belgium manager by 'moonwalking' out of his final post-match interview.

The 49-year-old, who succeeded Marc Wilmots as Belgium manager after their quarter-final exit at Euro 2016, led his side to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.

But four years later, the Red Devils struggled to live up to their 'Golden Generation' tag in Qatar as their campaign was clouded by dressing room conflict and verbal altercations.

After picking up just three points in Group F ahead of their final game against Croatia, Belgium needed a win against Zlatko Dalic's side to qualify.

Advert

Instead, they produced a lacklustre display of finishing, featuring a hat-trick of misses from Romelu Lukaku and a host of sloppy passes.

After picking up a point to finish in third, Martinez confirmed his exit from the job in a post-match interview.

He said: "That was my last game. It was emotional as you can imagine. The decision was taken just before the World Cup. I always work towards the long-term projects and they need to be set in advance.

"Since 2018 I had many opportunities to leave to take jobs at club level. I always wanted to be loyal and finish the job. I don't resign - it is the end of my contract. That was always the plan."

Then, in a quite bizarre moment, the former Everton manager walked backwards out of shot – leading fans to speculate that he 'moonwalked' out of his final interview.

One fan commented on the video, saying: "Did Roberto Martinez just moonwalk out of the job?" while another said: "I cannot stop watching this."

A third wrote: "Some way to leave your position as Belgium manager to be fair."

Martinez, who finished his tenure as Belgium boss with a record of 56-13-11, expressed his pride after taking charge of the national team for six years.

He said: "It's been six years since I arrived with a clear idea to qualify for the World Cup. You get engaged with the people and we felt we needed to give it another go.

"It's been a real joy. I'm so proud of these players. It's been amazing, it's been six years that we have been able to do everything you want to do in a club in a national team and that makes me extremely proud. We love the way this team has played.

"It has given us incredible joy. It is the time for me to accept that this is the last game."

Image credit: Alamy
Image credit: Alamy

Thoughts on Martinez's exit?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Topics: Roberto Martinez, Belgium, Football World Cup, Croatia

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Recommended reads

Ranking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
4 hours ago
7 hours ago
19 hours ago
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    TNT reporter responds after Mateta interview goes viral for 'little cuddle'

    “We are all having a little cuddle here" - Jean-Philippe Mateta got fans talking after this interview.

    Football
  • Getty
    4 hours ago

    Arne Slot sack update from Liverpool hierarchy emerges after PSG defeat

    The Liverpool boss is under pressure after his side's defeat against PSG in the Champions League.

    Football
  • Getty
    7 hours ago

    The player Thierry Henry once said was his toughest opponent is now unrecognisable

    He was a fearsome defender as a player but now lives a very different life...

    Football
  • Getty Images
    19 hours ago

    Liverpool express major worry over £80m summer target that fans are desperate for

    There are ‘question marks’ around the midfielder.

    Football
  • Roberto Martinez Makes Cristiano Ronaldo Claim after Portugal Win 9-1 Without Him
  • Cristiano Ronaldo Sent Home From Portugal Camp as Roberto Martinez Speaks Out
  • Roberto Martinez names shock Portugal player who deserves to win the Ballon d'Or and nobody else has said it yet
  • Roberto Martinez agrees to become new Portugal manager, following World Cup failure