Roberto Martinez stands down as Belgium manager after World Cup exit

Defeats to Morocco and a draw with Croatia ensured a group-stage exit for the Red Devils

Roberto Martinez has confirmed that he will leave his role as manager of Belgium after they exited the 2022 World Cup.

The former Everton boss, who was in charge of the Red Devils for six years, guided them to third place in Russia four years ago and was at the helm for a three-and-a-half year spell as Fifa's No 1 ranked side.

But a deeply disappointing tournament in Qatar, where a defeat by Morocco and a draw with Croatia ensured a group-stage exit, has seen him opt to walk away.

“Yes, that was my last game with the national team,” he said. “This is emotional, as you can imagine. I can’t carry on (answering), sorry.”

When asked if he was sorry to have bowed out on a disappointing note, he added: “I never look at it that way. I’m a person who likes to build things.

“I’ve been six years with the national team. I arrived with a clear job of qualifying for the World Cup and you get so engaged with the project and the people behind the players.

“And then we finished with a bronze medal (at Russia 2018) and it felt that we had to give it another go and it’s been a real joy.

“We’ve been able to build a real legacy, and I know a lot of people say you can only build legacy by winning a major tournament, but I see it in a different way. I’m so proud of these players.”

Martinez’s side were improved against the 2018 finalists but substitute Romelu Lukaku, in particular, failed to take a number of second-half chances, the draw not enough as Croatia progressed in their place.

The Spaniard insists he has no regrets though, instead rueing the ultimately costly performance in defeat to Morocco, who went on to win the group.

“It’s not easy to win games in the World Cup. We weren’t ourselves in the first game, we had a deserved defeat in our second game,” he added.

“Today we were ready, we created opportunities and today there is no regret. We’re out but we can leave with our heads held high.

“You see Youri Tielemans and other young players - the golden generation is doing something that is bringing the next generation on.

“It’s not what names are on the pitch, the legacy can be left in many ways.”