The 47-year-old Spaniard has been leading the Belgian national team since August 2016, but he has a special relationship with England and the Premier League. Firstly, because he spent ten years on the islands as a player, but mainly due to coaching engagements in Swansea, Wigan and Everton.
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However, he does not follow the best league competition in the world not only out of sentiment, but because many of the stars of his team work in England. Thanks to that, of course, the performances of the Czech duo Tomáš Souček – Vladimír Coufal in the colors of West Ham United could not escape him. And especially about the author of the hat-trick from Wednesday’s qualifying duel against Estonia, Roberto Martínez spoke in an exclusive interview with Samindra Kunti for the new issue of the Football Club quarterly, which is currently being published.
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Roberto Martínez is sitting on the bench of Belgium, one of the world’s strongest teams. He had previously led Wigan or Everton.
Belgium found itself in the qualifying group with the Czech Republic for the first time since 2001, but in the role of national team coach you already have experience from the preparatory duel from June 2017, which you won 2: 1. What is your general experience with Czech football?
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“I remember that match, we played in Brussels, it was a challenging and balanced duel. We won, but we saw that the opponent has good players. In terms of mentality, Czech footballers remind me of the Belgian ones. When they move abroad, they can quickly adapt to a new environment and a new culture, they can be very useful and effective on the field. And Tomáš Souček is probably a prime example. The way he quickly got used to the pace of the Premier League, and the important role he now plays in West Ham, only confirm my words. Czechs can adapt in big competitions. “
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What intrigued you most about it?
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“I must say he was really impressed. It is certainly one of the best transfers in the Premier League in the last year and has a large share in how high West Ham moves in the table. Tomas is a type of modern midfielder. Not to mention one thing, he is a complex player who is always visible on the field. He can perfectly time his support into the attack and into the lime, of course he is also a big goal threat for his opponents. Really very interesting player. “
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During the first months of Souček’s engagement in West Ham, he was often compared to Marouane Fellaini, whom you know well. Do you see the form there as well?
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“He’s a player who has some really similar things to Marouan, both are very good at many aspects of the game. Of course, perhaps the most visible is how they can support the offensive in lime, how dangerous they can be in it. They are practically the same in this. And Tomáš also reminds me a bit of Gustav Poyet during his career in Chelsea (1997–2001), who was also a very complex midfielder who wanted to be with everything. ”
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Souček’s reputation in England grows with each match he plays, he is already starting to decide where to move from West Ham. Do you think he has a Top 6 at the team level?
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“It is only matter of time. It improves step by step. If he got to the Champions League with West Ham, for example, it would help him a lot. Its importance for the club would be further emphasized. In any case, he has the potential to do so, he is only twenty-six, which is an ideal age and an opportunity to develop and become a truly top player. I’m sure he could continue to develop in West Ham if they advanced to the Champions League. “
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You came to England in 1995 and spent a total of twenty-one years there as a player and coach. Which Czech players attracted you the most?
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“I have to say that the team that reached the finals at EURO 1996 was impressive in a way. Karel Poborský moved to Manchester United after the championship. Milan Baroš also had a very interesting entry into the engagement in Liverpool. But the excellent player who put the Czechia on the Premier League map was Petr Cech. For a time, he was the best goalkeeper in the world for me. I admired his personality on the field, over the years he became an amazing leader. I have always perceived that the reputation of Czech football has benefited a lot from what Petr Čech showed in the Premier League and what he achieved. “
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The author is the editor-in-chief of Football Club magazine. Its latest edition contains not only the entire interview with coach Martínez, but also great material about the breadmaker Tomáš Souček, West Ham United.
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