Rui Miguel Martins

Chronicling the daily happenings in Portuguese football, with occasional opinion. Views are my own. 🇵🇹 🇨🇦

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@TheWrage Probably but if we are going to single out Bruno for something 80% of players have done at some point, I think that's unfair. He also spoke out against the Superleague. Nice to have a star athlete that speaks his mind and in the right way.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@TheWrage That's fair. I don't think Portugal lost because of the referee. But, he sticks up for his teammates when they are under fire. And, he was one of the few that spoke out against the WC being in Qatar and in the middle of the season.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@ev123uk @SeanGillen9 You're right. I lose track of where Portuguese managers are when they go to the Middle East. I hope he doesn't stay too long. Nothing wrong with chasing a paycheque, but Nuno is a very good manager and should coach in Europe, or Brazil. Look at Jardim, for example.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@SeanGillen9 Would you agree that the biggest difference for United this season compared to last is Casemiro? Last year, Fred/McTominay would just get overrun.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@ev123uk @SeanGillen9 Yes. Hopefully he takes another job soon. It's not good for a manager to be away from the touchline too long.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@Montrealdolfan I was more of a casual fan in 2004-06. This time it was like Euro 2012, but a little worse. Like you said, there was a path to the final, all due respect to Morocco. The match with Swi raised everyone's hopes before crashing to the ground. A big missed opportunity.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

My opinion. I think Roberto Martinez is a good hire. The Portuguese federation continues recent history of hiring managers that have coached internationally, Bento excepted. I'm also glad they finally have someone in place. Time to turn the page. I support whoever is at the helm.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@NunoPovinho @IggyHenny @patrick_2727 I would say he made Belgium better, just wasn't able to win anything. I think that team is getting older. Need to work in other players. De Bruyne wasn't at his best. Lukaku and perhaps some others were just out of form. It was time to move on.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@Montrealdolfan I'm exciting, personally. In part because Qatar was such a disappointment. I'm ready to move on. This is a big step forward. Looking forward to new players, new approach. We're all on the same side now.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@Montrealdolfan I think there would be people upset no matter who it was. There's good and bad about everyone I could think of. You mentioned Mourinho. He divides opinion. Others are perhaps not ready. Or, in the case of AVB and Jardim, perhaps spent too much time away from the touchline.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@L9ines_ Same number as Santos when he started.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

"Place of birth was never important to us. We are a squad of players who play in different leagues. Roberto Martinez's resume speaks for itself. He's built a career in different competitions," - Fernando Gomes

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@L9ines_ Great. Why didn't you put your name down for the job?

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@Montrealdolfan I feel the same way. Just read Fernando Gomes' quotes. I think he fits the side well, especially if you are looking for someone who is more attack-minded. He hasn't won anything but truth is few reach the top of the mountain.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@L9ines_ Best finish ever at a World Cup. And number 1 ranked for the first time ever. I would say he overachieved.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@patrick_2727 Completely agreed. I knew people would have an issue with whoever was hired. Just swap Martinez for Mourinho or Rui Jorge. Let's give him a chance. We're on the same side now.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@NunoPovinho @patrick_2727 Yes. I forgot to mention that. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wasn't completely happy with Santos, but as soon as he was hired, I backed him. I'm doing the same with Martinez.

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@patrick_2727 He won the FA Cup with Wigan. That's not easy. He won nothing at Everton but who has managed to win anything there recently?

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@CryptoFlash27 At least his tactics aren't seen as antiquated like Santos or Mourinho,

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

"I don't believe in systems. I believe in human beings that play football. We find talent and then a structure that allows the talent to win matches. I never force talent to adapt to a system," - Roberto Martinez

[Rui Miguel Martins @futebolfactory]

@L9ines_ He wouldn't have managed Belgium to a third place finish if he wasn't a good manager. In fact, he wouldn't have even walked into the front door.