Roberto Martinez has reportedly held talks with the Netherlands over becoming their new manager as the Dutch football authorities continue their search for Ronald Koeman’s replacement.
Koeman stepped down after the Netherlands were eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the last 32 of the World Cup in June.
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Royal Dutch Football Association technical director Nigel de Jong has spoken with Martinez about taking charge of the national team.
A move to the Netherlands would see the 53-year-old Spaniard return to international management for a third time, having previously coached Belgium and Portugal.
Martinez guided Belgium to third place at the 2018 World Cup but suffered a disappointing group-stage exit at the 2022 tournament.
His spell with Portugal brought Nations League success in the 2024-25 campaign, but the team were knocked out of this summer’s World Cup by eventual champions Spain in the last 16.
Martinez subsequently resigned as Portugal manager in July following criticism of his tactics and team selections.
If appointed, Martinez would become the Netherlands’ first foreign manager in 48 years.
Austrian Ernst Happel was the last non-Dutch coach to lead the country, guiding them to the 1978 World Cup final, where they lost 3-1 to Argentina.
Martinez is also understood to have a close relationship with Jordi Cruyff and shares an admiration for the football philosophy associated with his late father, Dutch icon Johan Cruyff.
The Netherlands’ pursuit of Martinez comes after several Dutch coaches declined the opportunity, including former Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Slot had been in discussions about succeeding Koeman but withdrew from the process, prompting speculation that salary and contract length were factors behind his decision.
However, Slot dismissed those reports, explaining through Dutch publication Voetbal International,
“Over the past few weeks, and particularly the past few days, various reports have appeared regarding the vacancy at the Dutch national team, suggesting that I had withdrawn from the process after lengthy negotiations, including regarding salary and contract duration,” Slot said via Dutch publication Voetbal International.
“That speculation is incorrect. We simply never reached that stage of the talks.
“At this stage of my career, I prefer to see myself on the training pitch with my players every day. Something that is simply not possible in the same way with a national team. And why I chose not to continue the talks and not to start negotiations on what a possible contract might look like.
“It would be a great honor to represent my country as national coach one day. However, this was not the right moment for me.”
