Roberto Martinez has held talks over becoming the Netherlands' next manager, a move that would end one of international football's longest-standing traditions.
According to De Telegraaf, the Spaniard met KNVB director Nigel de Jong in Malaga to discuss the vacancy left by Ronald Koeman, who stepped down after the Netherlands' penalty-shootout defeat to Morocco in the World Cup round of 32 in June.
Martinez left Portugal only a month ago after their own round-of-16 exit to eventual champions Spain.
Why The Netherlands Are Considering Roberto Martinez
The KNVB’s move for Roberto Martinez did not come out of nowhere. Dutch reports say the federation explored options including Peter Bosz, Erik ten Hag, Michael Reiziger and Pep Guardiola, but none of those contacts led to an advanced negotiation.
Arne Slot was the most prominent homegrown candidate after leaving Liverpool and initially emerged as the early favourite.
He has since confirmed that he discussed the vacancy with the KNVB but withdrew because he wants his next job to be in club football.
With those options unavailable or unsuitable, the KNVB has now turned to Martinez, who is reportedly in talks with the federation.
Why Arne Slot Rejected The Netherlands Job
Slot addressed the speculation directly through Voetbal International after reports suggested the talks had collapsed over money and the length of the proposed contract.
He rejected that version of events, saying: "I prefer to see myself on the training pitch with my players every day."
Slot said the talks never even reached the negotiating stage, and that daily contact with a squad, something international management can't offer in the same way, is what kept him committed to club football for now.
That leaves the KNVB's first-choice plan in pieces and Martinez as the closest thing to a ready-made replacement.
How Martinez Would Break A Long-Standing Dutch Tradition
A Martinez appointment would break a Dutch managerial tradition that has endured for almost five decades.
Since Ernst Happel’s spell in the late 1970s, the Netherlands have overwhelmingly turned to homegrown coaches for their national-team campaigns. Martinez has also faced criticism during his spells with Belgium and Portugal.
Critics have described his style as overly cautious. That reputation could complicate further talks with the KNVB, although his experience of rebuilding international squads and leading teams at major tournaments may work in his favour.
Nothing has been confirmed, but Martinez is the first candidate to enter substantive talks with the KNVB after several Dutch coaches declined the role. Those discussions have given the federation's search fresh momentum.
