Martinez ‘not in the running for Spurs post’
BELGIUM boss Roberto Martinez is not a current candidate for the vacant Tottenham managerial position.
The Spaniard, who has managed Wigan and Everton in the Premier League, was reportedly on the club’s shortlist to replace Jose Mourinho.
However, the PA news agency understands there are no plans for talks between the two parties and he is not considered a candidate.
The 47-year-old former Swans player and manager is preparing to lead to the Red Devils into the European Championship, aiming to win silverware with a generational squad of players.
Belgium are top of the world rankings but have yet to produce on the biggest stage, having been knocked out by Wales in the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 before finishing third at the 2018 World Cup.
Martinez is thought to be keen on a return to club management after this summer’s tournament, but that will not be at Spurs.
The North London club are understood to be approaching the endgame of their search for Mourinho’s successor, with interim boss Ryan Mason returning to his role in the academy after taking charge of the final seven games of the season.
Mason won four of those to ensure Spurs finished in seventh and qualified for the inaugural Europa Conference League.
Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag, Brighton’s Graham Potter and Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers have all been linked with the position.
Whoever is appointed will have a huge job to rebuild a club that has fallen significantly since reaching the Champions League final in 2019.
Star man Harry Kane is reported to have told the club he wants to leave, while several other players will need shipping out.
Martinez started his managerial career with Swansea in 2007 before leaving to join Wigan Athletic in 2009.
He spent four seasons with the Latics before replacing David Moyes as Everton manager in 2013.
The Spaniard led the Toffees to their record Premier League points total in his debut campaign at Goodison Park but was sacked in 2016, joining Belgium later in the same year.
Meanwhile, Martinez’s former assistant manager at Swansea, Wigan, Everton and with Belgium, current Newcastle United assistant Graeme Jones, will join England’s coaching team at the European Championship this summer.
Jones, 51, who will link up with the squad when their Euro 2020 preparations get under way on Saturday and remain with the Three Lions for the duration of their involvement in the tournament, has been praised for the impact he has made at Newcastle.
He joined the club in January, helping Steve Bruce’s side retain their Premier League place, and it is anticipated he will return to the Magpies for the 2021-22 top-flight campaign.