Martinez shuts down 'irrelevant' Real Madrid rumours

Joe Wright

Martinez shuts down 'irrelevant' Real Madrid rumours image

Roberto Martinez was quick to shut down talk of possible contact with Real Madrid over the vacant head coach position on Friday.

The Belgium boss is one of the leading candidates to succeed Julen Lopetegui on a permanent basis following his sacking at the end of October.

However, Martinez insists his only concern is Belgium's Nations League matches with Iceland and Switzerland, which take place next week.

"I don't want to say whether I or my agent had contact with Real Madrid," he told a news conference.

"That is irrelevant and would be of little respect in the run-up to the matches against Switzerland and Iceland. That's what we're doing now."

When pressed on whether Madrid could be an option in his future, Martinez replied: "I don't want to talk about anything other than the matches against Switzerland and Iceland.

"I've already said that here in two languages. Should I say it through body language, or sing a song?

"My message will remain the same: the only thing that interests me today is the Belgium team."

Martinez has long been earmarked as one of the favourites for the Madrid job, along with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.

However, speculation is building that interim coach Santiago Solari could be offered the role full-time after guiding them to three wins and no goals conceded in three games.

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.