Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez appointed Belgium boss

Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been named the new head coach of Belgium.

The Spaniard has succeeded Marc Wilmots as the Red Devils boss, following their disappointing display at Euro 2016, where they failed to make it beyond the quarter-finals, losing 3-1 to Wales in the last eight.

Martinez has been out of work since leaving Everton towards the end of last season and this will be the first time he has managed outside of Britain, following spells in charge at Swansea and Wigan.

The 43-year-old guided the Toffees to a fifth place finish and their highest ever Premier League points tally during his first season in charge in 2013-14, but successive 11th place finishes in the two following campaigns meant he was relieved of his duties in May this year.

The former defensive midfielder will now be tasked with helping Belgium qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Brazil, with his first match in charge set to be a friendly encounter with Spain on September 1.

Belgium, who started the year as the number one ranked side in the world, will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus and Gibraltar in their qualifying group for the World Cup.

Martinez’s men are available at 1.30 to finish top of the group, while they are available at 17.00 to go on and claim their first ever major international trophy when the finals take place in Russia.