Press release and press invitation of the RBFA
HE IS STAYING! Roberto Martínez extends RBFA contract through the 2022 World Cup.
The deal is done. Roberto Martínez remains with the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) and the Red Devils through the 2022 World Cup, in a double role as both national manager and technical director.
Talks about a renewal of the current contract of the national manager, which ends on June 30, have been going on for some time and each time in a particularly constructive atmosphere. The coronavirus crisis delayed the process somewhat, but the contract extension is now confirmed and official. Roberto Martínez has extended his contract for two years and will remain through the 2022 World Cup. His contract as technical director was also extended to that date. This allows Roberto Martínez to continue his work, lay the foundation for the future of Belgian football and train his successor to take over as technical director after the 2022 World Cup.
Peter Bossaert, CEO RBFA: “We are delighted and especially proud of this contract extension. With this great generation of Red Devils and Roberto Martínez as national manager, we have been ranked first in the FIFA world ranking since September 2018, without interruption. With the upcoming Nations League, the European Championship and the 2022 World Cup, we may be facing the most important years in our football history. We will do everything in our power to get the teams to the start of this cycle in optimal conditions. With Roberto we not only retain a top coach and gentleman, but we also keep the ideal ambassador for Belgian football. With Roberto as TD, we will continue to develop our sports structure and prepare future generations. We want to keep growing, with all our national teams and with all of Belgian football.”
Mehdi Bayat, President RBFA: “I am ecstatic! The RBFA management has done an excellent job to reach this agreement. Roberto has managed to unite the entire nation around the Devils, no matter what part of Belgium they live in and regardless of language, nationality, ethnicity, or background.
He has not only built this team but has also given it a clear identity and image. Next year we want to shine at the European Championship, and in 2022 we want to do even better than in 2018!”
Roberto Martínez: “Because of the EURO 2020 postponement we could not possibly end our collaboration already now. The RBFA has an ambitious plan that I look forward to with great enthusiasm, both in the short and long term. The next two and a half years will be very intense for our national team, with the European Championship, Nations League, 2020 World Cup qualifying matches and the World Cup in Qatar itself. I can only be happy and proud that I can continue working and prepare the future of Belgian football.”
Practical information regarding the press conference:
You can follow the press conference about the contract extension of Roberto Martínez live from 12:00 on https://youtu.be/dQgcWAPtO4Q.
Participants in the press conference: Roberto Martínez (Belgian Red Devils Manager and RBFA Technical Director), Mehdi Bayat (RBFA President) and Peter Bossaert (RBFA CEO).
Moderator is Manu Leroy (RBFA Director Marketing & Communications).
Journalists can submit their questions to Press Officer Stefan Van Loock, exclusively via WhatsApp.
Phone number Stefan Van Loock: +32477639336
Apart from the question and who the question is addressed to, please also provide your name and media affiliation.
Stefan Van Loock will select questions to transfer to the moderator.