Roberto Martinez announces departure: "This was my last game as coach of Belgium"
![](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/ffe0bc17-f071-4547-8595-1c13493b9dae/-/format/auto/Belgaimage-54373634.jpg)
After being eliminated by a goalless draw against Croatia at the World Cup in Qatar, Roberto Martinez announced his departure as Belgium's national coach. "This was my last game as coach of the Red Devils," he told reporters.
After the final whistle, Martinez fell into his players' arms. "It was an emotional moment, as you can imagine," he said. "I am so proud of these players. Together we have built a legacy. When I arrived here, Jan Ceulemans was still a record international. Now we have almost eight players with more than 100 caps. We have set different standards."
"My situation was obvious," he added. "Even if we had become world champions, this would have been my last tournament. This is not a resignation, but a farewell, because my contract has expired."
© BELGA PHOTO Bruno Fahy