Jarno Bertho has claimed that rumoured Aston Villa manager target Roberto Martinez ‘isn’t that popular’ in Belgium, as he told Sky Sports News (09/11/21 at 4:25 pm).
The Belgian football expert claimed that Martinez won’t be Aston Villa manager because he has ‘so much respect’ for the Belgian Federation.
This isn’t the first time that Martinez’s name has come up when a manager vacancy has been available at Villa Park.
The 48-year-old turned down the Midlands side when they were owned by Randy Lerner and he was Wigan boss – and now his name has popped up once again.
It seems as though Martinez is on a list, but a certain legendary midfielder, who is working his magic with Rangers, in Steven Gerrard, is top of the list to replace Dean Smith, according to BBC Sport.
If Villa can’t get the Gerrard deal over the line, Bertho, who knows Belgium football inside out, explained why it won’t be Martinez either.
“During the past few months and years, he was linked to a lot of clubs,” said Bertho. “To Arsenal and Barcelona, once. He was also linked to Spurs last summer and Newcastle last week.
“Every time you speak to him, he says ‘I’ll be working here’, as if he will be here for the next 30 years, so I will be very surprised if he leaves Belgium for Aston Villa.
On how he is rated in Belgium: “Well, he isn’t that popular anymore like he was in the 2018 World Cup when Belgium finished third. But, after that tournament, we fell from disappointment, after disappointment – he doesn’t have that much credit that he had maybe two or three years ago.
“What is important to know is that he has a double function in Belgium. He’s the technical director and the coach as well. If he leaves, he would make those two jobs vacant. I really believe he has so much respect for what this federation gave him that he won’t leave, unless they say.”
Whilst it’s unlikely, if Martinez is named Villa’s next manager, then it wouldn’t be a popular choice.
The job he is doing with Belgium is dividing opinion because many feel that he should have won a trophy with the crop of talent the Red Devils have had over the years.
Added with that, when he did leave Wigan, he joined Everton, where things ended with him getting the sack after a strong start.
So, deep down, Villa fans will be quietly delighted that Martinez is focusing on the 2022 World Cup, rather than taking to their touchline.
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