2 more matches Roberto Martinez is removed from immortality in our country Belgium. But whether we become world champion or not, friend and foe agree that the Spaniard has succeeded in making this Red Devils a solid block. How did he handle that? "In sports, the word" thank you "is often far away, but Martinez will thank everyone who brings in something."

When 44-year-old Martinez was appointed as successor to Marc Wilmots two years ago, the eyebrows were frowned. For non-football experts, it was mainly "Roberto who?". The experts asked themselves questions about his limited experience. Martinez was dismissed several months earlier as coach of Everton in the English Premier League. He led the club just under three seasons and was initially praised for his offensive approach. But when the results disappointed, the fans turned against him.

A gamble for the Football Association. But vice-chairman Bart Verhaeghe, who participated in the talks with Martinez, was quickly convinced by his vision. "He is someone who is very intelligent and who works very analytically", says Verhaeghe.

"Figures and facts are very important to him. He observes, views, reads, counts, sees how everything works and comes to conclusions. But he also succeeds - and that is often difficult - to turn those conclusions into concrete actions. "

That Martinez attaches great importance to statistics, is shown by the fact that he called in a Dutch data bureau in the run-up to the World Cup. SciSports provides the national coach and his staff with information about players, tactical patterns, and so on.

Modern manager and "business leader"

Verhaeghe sees Martinez as a modern manager, someone who collects and directs a team around him. "He can initiate several things at once and delegate to others who then perceive a partial aspect of that radar work. He gives them responsibility and allows them to fully do their thing on their subdomain. He follows that, of course, but he gives confidence and he radiates that too, so that his people go through the fire before him. "

"Football has become such a complex matter that teamwork is super-essential and that you are only as strong as the weakest link in the chain, and he is the gigantic good motivator who keeps the team on the right track."

Sport psychologist Jef Brouwers, who advises the national coach on psychological counseling, talks about a "business leader". "He has mastered all aspects, he knows perfectly well that those guys on the field are busy with their business, but at the same time he knows how to convince them that you can not do anything by himself, he also has that with the staff. Everyone who brings in something is thanked, which is unique. "