Belgium looking to extend Roberto Martinez’s contract amid Everton links

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The Belgian FA are reportedly looking to extend Roberto Martinez’s contract with the national team amid links that Everton could potentially appoint the Spaniard as a replacement for Frank Lampard.

According to Het Nieuwsblad, the Red Devils have held talks with the former Toffees manager about potential extending his contract beyond the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with many expecting Qatar to be Martinez’s final major competition with Belgium.

The FA Cup-winning manager took over Belgium in 2016 to manage what many considered one of the best golden generations for any European nation in the past few years, with Martinez leading the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018.

However, despite topping the FIFA rankings, many could consider Martinez’s time with Belgium a failure given just how much talent the former Wigan Atheltic manager had at his disposal, which is what makes this latest update in the Spaniard’s future so peculiar, especially with Everton keeping tabs on their former coach.

Het Belang van Limburg recently reported that the Merseyside club are monitoring Martinez as a potential replacement for Lampard should the English coach face the sack from Everton, with the appointment of the Belgium manager likely to be a controversial move from many supporters.

Indeed, Everton have already experienced what it’s like to be managed by Martinez, and appointing the 49-year-old would arguably be as controversial as when the Blues brought in Rafa Benitez last year. Which is why fans would want the Spaniard to remain with Belgium.

Everton appointing Martinez would be nothing short of disastrous

Everton’s record of recent managerial appointments is questionable, to say the least. Yet whilst results with Lampard haven’t been perfect, there’s a sense amongst fans that sticking with a long-term process with a young coach is better than returning to an old flame, such as Martinez.

Whilst the former Wigan coach has improved greatly as a manager and has achieved some impressive feats with Belgium, returning to Everton would be nothing short of a nightmare, and as we have seen with Benitez, supporters not sticking by the new boss right from the start is a recipe for disaster.